Pathogenesis of the neurotrophic joint: neurotraumatic vs. neurovascular.

Abstract

The most widely accepted and propagated theory of neurotrophic joint pathogenesis is that of neurotrauma. Seldom published and little known is the neurovascular theory. To gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis, radiographs of 91 human neurotrophic joints were reviewed with attention to the particular joint affected, the type of changes present (resorptive vs. productive) and the time sequence involved. Pathological findings, when available, were also reviewed. While many joint changes could not be explained on a traumatic basis alone, all could be explained by a vascular mechanism.