Association between knee cartilage volume and bone mineral density in older adults without osteoarthritis

We have shown a positive association between tibial cartilage volume and total BMD in men and women, but no such association with patellar cartilage volume. The mechanism for this is unclear but may represent a common environmental or genetic component. This study also highlights the need to examine the osteophyte and joint cartilage separately when investigating factors affecting the joint in health and disease since each feature is likely to reflect different aspects of the pathogenic process in OA.