Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the world. In Western populations it
is one of the most frequent causes of pain, loss of function and disability in adults.
Radiographic evidence of OA occurs in the majority of people by 65 years of age and in
about 80% of those aged over 75 years. In the US it is second only to ischaemic heart
disease as a cause of work disability in men over 50 years of age, and accounts for more
hospitalizations than rheumatoid arthritis (RA) each year. Despite this public health impact …

Angiogenesis and inflammation are closely integrated processes in osteoarthritis (OA) and
may affect disease progression and pain. Inflammation can stimulate angiogenesis, and
angiogenesis can facilitate inflammation. Angiogenesis can also promote chondrocyte
hypertrophy and endochondral ossification, contributing to radiographic changes in the joint.
Inflammation sensitizes nerves, leading to increased pain. Innervation can also accompany
vascularization of the articular cartilage, where compressive forces and hypoxia may …

Page 1 The National Colla C for Chronic Condition OSTEOARTHRITIS National clinical
guideline for care and management in adults Royal College of Physicians Page 2 The National
Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions Funded to produce guidelines for the NHS by NICE
OSTEOARTHRITIS National clinical guideline for care and management in adults Published
by Royal College of Physicians Setting higher medical standards Page 3 Osteoarthritis
Mission statement The Royal College of Physicians plays a leading role in the delivery of high …

Further work on mediators and pathways that are common across different models and
occur in human osteoarthritis and that impact the osteoarthritis disease process at different
stages of initiation and progression will inform us about new directions for targeted
therapies.