Importance of subchondral bone in the pathogenesis and management of osteoarthritis from bench to bed

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disorders, which is the leading cause of pain and walking disability in older adults. The primary concern of OA is loss of articular cartilage. Yet the integrity of articular cartilage relies on subchondral bone to provide mechanical support and nutrition supply. The term "osteo"-arthritis has indicated the importance of subchondral bone in the pathogenesis and management of knee OA. This review focuses on the current understanding of subchondral bone pathophysiology in human and animal models, and discusses how to translate it from bench to bedside for early diagnosis and intervention of OA.