Central osteophytes are those that grow in the central portion of the joints rather than along the edges, most commonly in the hips and knees. Their location appears to be the result of articular cartilage defects. When a joint experiences damage or cartilage loss, the cartilage that remains attempts to repair itself and ultimately forms an osteophyte because cartilage, in general, does not heal itself well. Central osteophytes are significantly less common than their marginal counterparts, largely because of the precursory damage necessary for their development.

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