Articular Surface

Articular surface (facies articularis, pna, bna, jna; synonym articular surface) - a section of bone covered with hyaline cartilage and involved in the formation of the joint. The articular surfaces of the contacting bones have the appropriate shape, which ensures their tight articulation.

Hyaline cartilage covering the articular surfaces creates the smoothness and elasticity necessary for the smooth sliding of the articular surfaces against each other. In addition, cartilage performs a shock-absorbing function, softening shocks and loads on the joint. The shape and size of the articular surfaces vary depending on the mobility of a particular joint and the loads on it.

Articular surfaces in the human body are special devices for connecting bones and cartilage tissue. Their common task is to ensure accurate and smooth movement of the moving elements relative to each other, compensating for possible small deviations by changing the volume of adjacent joint tissues.

The main clinical manifestation of diseases and changes in the articular surfaces is limited joint mobility. In medical practice, a distinction is made between extra-articular changes and lesions of the articular cartilaginous surface.

The first group includes lesions of the extracapsular space. They usually do not restrict joint movement, although they can cause serious discomfort. The second includes damage directly to the synovial membrane and articular surface. Chronic synovitis and degenerative changes in the latter are accompanied by the development of reactive synovitis, characterized by significant limitations in mobility and severe pain even at rest.

Diseases of the articular surface mainly affect the synovium and interfascial connective tissue between the joints. The most common are aseptic reactive synovitis and osteoarthritis, accounting for about 80% of all cases of joint diseases: arthritis, arthrosis, tenosynovitis.

In addition, degenerative-dystrophic changes in articular cartilage are common after the age of 50 years. The pain syndrome is paroxysmal in nature, develops quickly, can be very intense, patients are inhibited, and their muscles are intensely tense. There is limited mobility in the finger, knee or hip joints. A joint of the same type in terms of load is often affected, most often the ankle or hip joint.