Osteolysis

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Osteolysis
Specialty Orthopedics

Osteolysis is an active resorption of bone matrix by osteoclasts and can be interpreted as the reverse of ossification. Although osteoclasts are active during the natural formation of healthy bone the term "osteolysis" specifically refers to a pathological process. Osteolysis often occurs in the proximity of a prosthesis that causes either an immunological response or changes in the bone's structural load. Osteolysis may also be caused by pathologies like bone tumors, cysts, or chronic inflammation.

Contents

Joint replacement

While bone resorption is commonly associated with many diseases or joint problems, the term osteolysis generally refers to a problem common to artificial joint replacements such as total hip replacements, total knee replacements and total shoulder replacements. Osteolysis can also be associated with the radiographic changes seen in those with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.[ citation needed ]

There are several biological mechanisms which may lead to osteolysis. In total hip replacement, the generally accepted explanation [1] for osteolysis involves wear particles (worn off the contact surface of the artificial ball and socket joint). As the body attempts to clean up these wear particles (typically consisting of plastic or metal), it triggers an autoimmune reaction which causes resorption of living bone tissue. Osteolysis has been reported to occur as early as 12 months after implantation and is usually progressive. This may require a revision surgery (replacement of the prosthesis).[ citation needed ]

Although osteolysis itself is clinically asymptomatic, it can lead to implant loosening or bone breakage, which in turn causes serious medical problems. [2]

Distal clavicular osteolysis

Distal clavicular osteolysis (DCO) is often associated with problems weightlifters have with their acromioclavicular joints due to high mechanical stresses put on the clavicle as it meets with the acromion. This condition is often referred to as "weight lifter's shoulder". [3] Medical ultrasonography readily depicts resorption of the distal clavicle as irregular cortical erosions, whereas the acromion remains intact. [4] Associated findings may include distended joint capsule, soft tissue swelling, and joint instability.[ citation needed ]

A common surgery to treat recalcitrant DCO is resection of distal clavicle by removing a few millimetres of bone from the very end of the bone. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clavicle</span> Long bone that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum

The clavicle, collarbone, or keybone is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long that serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). There are two clavicles, one on each side of the body. The clavicle is the only long bone in the body that lies horizontally. Together with the shoulder blade, it makes up the shoulder girdle. It is a palpable bone and, in people who have less fat in this region, the location of the bone is clearly visible. It receives its name from Latin clavicula 'little key' because the bone rotates along its axis like a key when the shoulder is abducted. The clavicle is the most commonly fractured bone. It can easily be fractured by impacts to the shoulder from the force of falling on outstretched arms or by a direct hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoulder problem</span> Medical condition

Shoulder problems including pain, are one of the more common reasons for physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. This instability increases the likelihood of joint injury, often leading to a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoulder</span> Part of the body

The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula, and the humerus as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orthopedic surgery</span> Branch of surgery concerned with the musculoskeletal system

Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip replacement</span> Surgery replacing hip joint with prosthetic implant

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant, that is, a hip prosthesis. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total replacement or a hemi/semi(half) replacement. Such joint replacement orthopaedic surgery is generally conducted to relieve arthritis pain or in some hip fractures. A total hip replacement consists of replacing both the acetabulum and the femoral head while hemiarthroplasty generally only replaces the femoral head. Hip replacement is one of the most common orthopaedic operations, though patient satisfaction varies widely between different techniques and implants. Approximately 58% of total hip replacements are estimated to last 25 years. The average cost of a total hip replacement in 2012 was $40,364 in the United States, and about $7,700 to $12,000 in most European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avascular necrosis</span> Death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply

Avascular necrosis (AVN), also called osteonecrosis or bone infarction, is death of bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply. Early on, there may be no symptoms. Gradually joint pain may develop, which may limit the person's ability to move. Complications may include collapse of the bone or nearby joint surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clavicle fracture</span> Medical condition

A clavicle fracture, also known as a broken collarbone, is a bone fracture of the clavicle. Symptoms typically include pain at the site of the break and a decreased ability to move the affected arm. Complications can include a collection of air in the pleural space surrounding the lung (pneumothorax), injury to the nerves or blood vessels in the area, and an unpleasant appearance.

Arthroplasty is an orthopedic surgical procedure where the articular surface of a musculoskeletal joint is replaced, remodeled, or realigned by osteotomy or some other procedure. It is an elective procedure that is done to relieve pain and restore function to the joint after damage by arthritis or some other type of trauma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Implant (medicine)</span> Device surgically placed within the body for medical purposes

An implant is a medical device manufactured to replace a missing biological structure, support a damaged biological structure, or enhance an existing biological structure. For example, an implant may be a rod, used to strengthen weak bones. Medical implants are human-made devices, in contrast to a transplant, which is a transplanted biomedical tissue. The surface of implants that contact the body might be made of a biomedical material such as titanium, silicone, or apatite depending on what is the most functional. In 2018, for example, American Elements developed a nickel alloy powder for 3D printing robust, long-lasting, and biocompatible medical implants. In some cases implants contain electronics, e.g. artificial pacemaker and cochlear implants. Some implants are bioactive, such as subcutaneous drug delivery devices in the form of implantable pills or drug-eluting stents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acromioclavicular joint</span> Shoulder junction between the scapula and the clavicle

The acromioclavicular joint, or AC joint, is a joint at the top of the shoulder. It is the junction between the acromion and the clavicle. It is a plane synovial joint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knee replacement</span> Surgical procedure

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability, most commonly offered when joint pain is not diminished by conservative sources. It may also be performed for other knee diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. In patients with severe deformity from advanced rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, or long-standing osteoarthritis, the surgery may be more complicated and carry higher risk. Osteoporosis does not typically cause knee pain, deformity, or inflammation, and is not a reason to perform knee replacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint replacement</span> Orthopedic surgery to replace a joint

Joint replacement is a procedure of orthopedic surgery known also as arthroplasty, in which an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with an orthopedic prosthesis. Joint replacement is considered as a treatment when severe joint pain or dysfunction is not alleviated by less-invasive therapies. Joint replacement surgery is often indicated from various joint diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint capsule</span> Anatomical structure on synovial joints

In anatomy, a joint capsule or articular capsule is an envelope surrounding a synovial joint. Each joint capsule has two parts: an outer fibrous layer or membrane, and an inner synovial layer or membrane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorham's disease</span> Syndrome characterized by bone loss

Gorham's disease, also known as Gorham vanishing bone disease and phantom bone disease, is a very rare skeletal condition of unknown cause. It is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of distended, thin-walled vascular or lymphatic channels within bone, which leads to resorption and replacement of bone with angiomas and/or fibrosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Separated shoulder</span> Medical condition

A separated shoulder, also known as acromioclavicular joint injury, is a common injury to the acromioclavicular joint. The AC joint is located at the outer end of the clavicle where it attaches to the acromion of the scapula. Symptoms include non-radiating pain which may make it difficult to move the shoulder. The presence of swelling or bruising and a deformity in the shoulder is also common depending on how severe the dislocation is.

Shoulder surgery is a means of treating injured shoulders. Many surgeries have been developed to repair the muscles, connective tissue, or damaged joints that can arise from traumatic or overuse injuries to the shoulder.

Metallosis is the medical condition involving deposition and build-up of metal debris in the soft tissues of the body.

Nikos Athanasou is an Australian short story writer and novelist and musculoskeletal pathologist and scientist. He was born in Perth and grew up in Sydney where he studied medicine. He moved to England and is currently Professor of Musculoskeletal Pathology at Oxford University and a Fellow of Wadham College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of trauma and orthopaedics articles</span>

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal injuries, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, bone tumours, and congenital limb deformities. Trauma surgery and traumatology is a sub-specialty dealing with the operative management of fractures, major trauma and the multiply-injured patient.

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI), also known as peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI), is an acute, sub-acute or chronic infection of a prosthetic joint. It may occur in the period after the joint replacement or many years later. It usually presents as joint pain, erythema, joint swelling and sometimes formation of a sinus tract. PJI is estimated to occur in approximately 2% of hip and knee replacements, and up to 4% of revision hip or knee replacements. Other estimates indicate that 1.4-2.5% of all joint replacements worldwide are complicated by PJIs. The incidence is expected to rise significantly in the future as hip replacements and knee replacements become more common. It is usually caused by aerobic gram positive bacteria, such as Staph epidermidis or Staphylococcus aureus but enterococcus species, gram negative organisms and Cutibacterium are also known causes with fungal infections being a rare culprit. The definitive diagnosis is isolation of the causative organism from the synovial fluid, but signs of inflammation in the joint fluid and imaging may also aid in the diagnosis. The treatment is a combination of systemic antibiotics, debridement of infectious and necrotic tissue and local antibiotics applied to the joint space. The bacteria that usually cause prosthetic joint infections commonly form a biofilm, or a thick slime that is adherent to the artificial joint surface, thus making treatment challenging.

References

  1. Sanjeev Agarwal (2004). "Osteolysis - basic science, incidence and diagnosis". Current Orthopaedics. 18 (3): 220–231. doi:10.1016/j.cuor.2004.03.002.
  2. Cyteval, C. (2016-07-01). "Imaging of knee implants and related complications". Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. Imaging of the pelvic girdle, hip and knee. 97 (7): 809–821. doi:10.1016/j.diii.2016.02.015. ISSN   2211-5684.
  3. 1 2 Schwarzkopf R, Ishak C, Elman M, Gelber J, Strauss DN, Jazrawi LM (2008). "Distal clavicular osteolysis: a review of the literature". Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 66 (2): 94–101. PMID   18537776. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  4. Arend CF. Ultrasound of the Shoulder. Master Medical Books, 2013. Sample chapter available at ShoulderUS.com