EFFECTS OF CLODRONATE ON SYNOVIAL FLUID LEVELS OF SOME INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS, AFTER INTRA-ARTICULAR ADMINISTRATION TO PATIENTS WITH SYNOVITIS SECONDARY TO KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

It is now widely accepted that osteoarthritis cannot be considered as a simple age related modification of cartilage, but as a complex disease representing the final outcome of cartilage degeneration, abnormal subchondral bone remodelling and early inflammatory involvement. Therefore, strong interactions among condrocytes, synovia and subchondral bone occur, by means of active intervention of cytokines, phlogistic mediators, growth factors and proteolytic enzymes. Furthermore, the role of hydroxyapatite crystals seems to be also important in the progression of the inflammatory damage.[...]