Subchondral Bone Microarchitectural and Mineral Properties and Expression of Key Degradative Proteinases by Chondrocytes in Human Hip Osteoarthritis.

Phenotypic changes in chondrocytes and remodelling of subchondral bone proceed at different rates throughout the process of cartilage degradation. Biological influences are more important for cartilage degradation at early stages, while biomechanical damage to the compromised tissue may outrun the phenotypic change of chondrocytes and is critical in the advanced stages.