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Current Concepts in Subchondral Bone Pathology

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Joint Function Preservation

Abstract

Subchondral bone pathology (SBP) includes a wide range of pathologies, including trauma, post-cartilage surgery, osteoarthritis, transient bone marrow lesions (BML) syndromes, spontaneous insufficiency fractures, and osteonecrosis. They show common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings termed bone marrow lesions (BMLs). However, the etiology and evolution of SBP in multiple conditions remains unclear. A key factor to address when studying a patient with BMLs is the distinction between reversible and irreversible lesions. MRI plays a significant role in the differential diagnosis based on recognizable typical patterns that have to be considered together with coexistent abnormalities, age, and clinical history. This chapter will focus on the current understanding of subchondral bone pathologies. Future research of BML will be mandatory to address the different pathologies better and determining appropriate treatment strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Arthroscopic Surgery International (O.A.S.I.) Bioresearch Foundation, Gobbi N.P.O., Milan, Italy

    Alberto Gobbi, Eleonora Irlandini & Ignacio Dallo

  2. Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Ramiro Alvarez

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  1. Alberto Gobbi
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  2. Ramiro Alvarez
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  3. Eleonora Irlandini
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  4. Ignacio Dallo
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Correspondence to Alberto Gobbi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. O.A.S.I. Bioresearch Foundation Gobbi NPO, Milan, Italy

    Alberto Gobbi

  2. Musculoskeletal and Joint Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA

    John G. Lane

  3. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, University Campus Biomedico, Roma, Italy

    Umile Giuseppe Longo

  4. OASI Bioresearch Foundation Gobbi NPO, Milan, Italy

    Ignacio Dallo

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Gobbi, A., Alvarez, R., Irlandini, E., Dallo, I. (2022). Current Concepts in Subchondral Bone Pathology. In: Gobbi, A., Lane, J.G., Longo, U.G., Dallo, I. (eds) Joint Function Preservation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82958-2_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82958-2_15

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