On 5 May, he was diagnosed with an osteophyte. This in turn helps to slow down cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation. It can be mistaken for a loose body or osteophyte. Early on there is flattening of articular surfaces, thinning of cartilage with osteophyte (spur) formation. Osteophyte formation has classically been related to sequential and consequential changes in such processes.