The inevitability of a disease sounds a clarion for its prevention, or at least its control. Understanding its pathophysiology is essential to that process. For osteoarthritis, preconceived notions and mythology must be transcended to allow identification of its essentials. The first step was to establish a scientific basis for its recognition. Sorting associated phenomenon allowed identification of those which are non-diagnostic, and one major finding which is pathognomonic: the joint osteophyte. Once that was distinguished from the asymptomatic vertebral body, osteophytes identifying spondylosis deformans, a major impediment to disease understanding, was eliminated. While animal models have been sought or manufactured to address the question, this new understanding afforded a.
