Advances in Osteoarthritis

The International Symposium on Advances in Osteoarthritis, held in Kobe in 1997, focused on the latest research in osteoarthritis, including diagnosis and treatment. Basic research in the field has focused on the histological and biochemical aspects of the degenerating chondrocytes, collagen fibers, and matrix proteoglycans, and excess mechanical stress has been shown to be the principal factor in the initiation of osteoarthritis. Exactly how such stress leads to the total destruction of cartilage tissue remains unclear, but new research has brought a clearer understanding of the process of degeneration. The latest findings are included in the proceedings of the symposium, with the focus on the following areas: mechanical stress and chondrocyte reactions, functional diagnosis of osteoarthritis, new cartilage markers, promising treatments, and problems following total joint replacement.