Histomorphologic and Histomorphometric Characteristics of Zygapophyseal Joint Remodeling in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Cartilage degeneration, indicated by cartilage thinning, enhanced chondrocyte apoptosis, and proteoglycan loss, and subchondral bone thinning, promoted by invasion of the subchondral bone plate by a fibrous tissue originating from the bone marrow, are hallmarks of joint remodeling in AS.