Experimental intervertebral disc degeneration produced in rabbits by ventral nuclear herniation reliably produces vertebral osteophytes. Osteophytes arise from proliferating inner annular fibers which undergo metaplasia into cartilage, calcify, and proceed through an endochondral ossification sequence. Proteoglycans extracted from the osteophytes reveal that the degree of aggregation, molecular size of the monomer, and the chondroitin sulfate/keratin sulfate ratio are directly related to the cartilage state of the tissue.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lipson et al. (1980) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: