[Role of increased tissue pressure in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis is characterized by increased internal pressure in the subchondral bone tissue as well as in the joint capsule. In analogy to the pathophysiological mechanism of venous compartment syndrome it is demonstrated that the increased pressure is maintained by high protein edema and initiates a vicious circle. Drug-induced resorption of the osmotically active proteins leads to elimination of the high protein edema and is able to interrupt the pathophysiological process.