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osteophyte
DiseaseQ923339· pop 24· linked from 182 articles

osteophyte

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Also known as bone spurs

Osteophytes are exostoses (bony projections) that form along joint margins. They are distinct from enthesophytes, which are bony projections that form at the attachment of a tendon or ligament. Osteophytes are not always distinguished from exostoses in any definite way, although in many cases there are a number of differences. Osteophytes are typically intra-articular (within the joint capsule).

Key facts

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Osteophyte
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Osteophytes_processus_anconeus.png
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Small marginal osteophytes (arrows) of the processus anconeus of the ulna can be seen in this gross pathological specimen of a sow.
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Orthopedics

via Wikipedia infobox

Health references

ICD-10
M25.70 — Osteophyte, unspecified joint
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (ICD-10-CM · MedlinePlus). Not medical advice.

Research

6,861 papers

via PubMed

~2 min read

Encyclopedic overview

5 sections
Contents
  • Cause
  • Pathophysiology
  • Treatments
  • References
  • External links

Osteophytes are exostoses (bony projections) that form along joint margins. They are distinct from enthesophytes, which are bony projections that form at the attachment of a tendon or ligament. Osteophytes are not always distinguished from exostoses in any definite way, although in many cases there are a number of differences. Osteophytes are typically intra-articular (within the joint capsule).

==Cause== thumb|X-ray showing osteophytes of spondylosis of the [[lumbar spine]] A range of bone-formation processes are associated with aging, degeneration, mechanical instability, and disease (such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis). Osteophyte formation has classically been related to sequential and consequential changes in such processes. Often osteophytes form in osteoarthritic joints as a result of damage and wear from inflammation. Calcification and new bone formation can also occur in response to mechanical damage in joints.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “osteophyte” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (2)