Rheumatology

Answer 2 Symmetrical joint space narrowing. Osteoarthritis can be thought of as a localized process in which mechanical forces are distributed in an unequal fashion over the joint surface, resulting in asymmetrical joint space narrowing. In contrast, the inflammatory arthropathies are mediated by the generation of soluble factors such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which affect the cartilage in a global manner and result in symmetrical joint space narrowing. New bone formation is characteristic of osteoarthritis but is not unique to osteoarthritis, because new bone formation can also be seen in Paget’s disease. Subchondral cysts appear in a variety of advanced joint diseases. Click here to return to the questions

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