What is a characteristic symptom of osteoarthritis on X-ray?

A characteristic symptom of osteoarthritis on X-ray is the presence of osteophytes, also known as bone spurs. Osteophytes are bony projections that develop along the edges of bones, particularly in joints affected by osteoarthritis. These formations occur as a response to the joint's degenerative processes, primarily due to the wear and tear of cartilage.

As cartilage deteriorates, the body attempts to compensate for the loss of cushioning between bones by forming these bony growths, which can cause pain, stiffness, and a decrease in joint mobility. Their identification on X-rays is a key diagnostic feature; radiologists look for these changes as indicators of osteoarthritis. The X-ray images will typically show these osteophytes along with other findings such as joint space narrowing and subchondral sclerosis.

In contrast, joint laxity refers to an increased range of motion in the joint, which is not specifically indicative of osteoarthritis and is more commonly associated with other conditions or joint instability. Abnormal bone growth could describe various bone-related conditions but is not specific to osteoarthritis as osteophytes are. Soft tissue swelling may be present in various forms of arthritis but is not a primary feature seen on X-rays and is instead assessed through clinical examination or