Arthritis Osteoarthritis Symptoms Subchondral Bone Cysts in People with Osteoporosis By Carol Eustice Carol Eustice LinkedIn Twitter Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 31, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Marissa Sansone, MD Medically reviewed by Marissa Sansone, MD LinkedIn Marissa Sansone, MD, is a board-certified doctor of internal medicine and a current fellow in rheumatology at Yale University. She actively teaches rheumatology to medical residents and students, and peer-reviews abstracts in the journal Rheumatology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print BSIP/Getty Images A subchondral bone cyst (SBC) is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the bone just beneath the cartilage of a joint, such as the hip, knee, or shoulder. These cysts can develop in people with osteoarthritis and are usually not treated. How Subchondral Bone Plays a Role in Osteoarthritis Diagnosis How Osteoarthritis Progresses Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage serves as a cushion between joint bones, allowing them to glide over each other and absorb the shock from physical movements. Osteoarthritis typically develops in the following stages: At the onset of disease, the space between the joint bones will begin to narrow due to cartilage degeneration. As the joint tries to repair itself, the remodeling of bone can often be haphazard and lead to the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes) and the development of subchondral sclerosis (the stiffening of the joint due to increased bone mass). As cartilage loss continues, SBCs may begin to form. The increasing depletion of cartilage will eventually cause bone to rub against bone, triggering pain and the loss of mobility. Causes and Symptoms Subchondral bone is the layer of bone just below the cartilage. With osteoarthritis, the blood supply to these areas is typically increased as the body tries to repair the joint damage. Damage to the subchondral bone and overlying cartilage are key factors, but exactly how SBCs form remains unknown. Together with bone spurs and increased bone mass, the formation of SBCs can further complicate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. From a symptomatic standpoint, SBCs are not all that distinctive and may cause mild-to-moderate pain, affect joint flexibility, or both. Not all people with osteoarthritis will develop SBCs, and it is not even entirely clear why some people develop the condition and others don't. Diagnosis SBCs are diagnosed with an X-ray. They will appear as hollowed-out areas in the subchondral bone but are often poorly defined and difficult to spot. In such cases, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be ordered to provide the doctor a more three-dimensional view. This, along with a review of the person's symptoms and risk factors, is usually enough to confirm the diagnosis. The risk factors for SBC include: ObesitySmokingAbnormal joint alignmentAbnormal joint shapePrior joint injuryA family history of osteoarthritis Treatment SBC is not treated directly. Instead, the doctor will find ways to help alleviate the acute and long-term symptoms of the underlying osteoarthritis. Options may include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen), to treat pain Weight loss to alleviate pressure on the joints Low-impact exercise (such as biking, swimming, or elliptical machines) to retain or improve joint flexibility Physical therapy Ultrasound therapy Learn More About Osteoarthritis Treatment If none of these options provides relief, the doctor may recommend a joint-replacement surgery. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn tips for managing arthrits pain, medications, and daily challenges. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Man GS, Mologhianu G. Osteoarthritis pathogenesis - a complex process that involves the entire joint. J Med Life. 2014;7(1):37–41. Loeser RF, Goldring SR, Scanzello CR, Goldring MB. Osteoarthritis: a disease of the joint as an organ. Arthritis Rheum. 2012;64(6):1697–1707. doi:10.1002/art.34453 Li G, Yin J, Gao J, et al. Subchondral bone in osteoarthritis: insight into risk factors and microstructural changes. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(6):223. doi:10.1186/ar4405 Stewart HL, Kawcak CE. The Importance of Subchondral Bone in the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci. 2018;5:178. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00178 Crema MD, Roemer FW, Marra MD, et al. Contrast-enhanced MRI of subchondral cysts in patients with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis: the MOST study. Eur J Radiol. 2010;75(1):e92–e96. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.08.009 Audrey HX, Abd Razak HR, Andrew TH. The truth behind subchondral cysts in osteoarthritis of the knee. Open Orthop J. 2014;8:7–10. doi:10.2174/1874325001408010007 Tellegen AR, Rudnik-Jansen I, Pouran B, et al. Controlled release of celecoxib inhibits inflammation, bone cysts and osteophyte formation in a preclinical model of osteoarthritis. Drug Deliv. 2018;25(1):1438–1447. doi:10.1080/10717544.2018.1482971 Tanamas SK, Wluka AE, Pelletier JP, et al. The association between subchondral bone cysts and tibial cartilage volume and risk of joint replacement in people with knee osteoarthritis: a longitudinal study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(2):R58. Additional Reading Guangyi, L.; Yin, J.; Gao, J. et al. "Subchondral Bone in Osteoarthritis: Insight Into Risk Factors and Microstructural Changes." Arthritis Res Ther. 2013; 15(6):223. DOI: 10.1186/ar4405. Han Xinyun, A.; Hamid Rhammalah, B.; and Tan, A. "The Truth Behind Subchondral Cysts in Osteoarthritis of the Knee." Open Orthop J. 2014; 8: 7-10. DOI: 10.2174/1874325001408010007.