| Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue that is | | | | relieve the symptoms of damaged articular cartilage. |
| found throughout the body. This rubbery tissue which | | | | Nonsurgical approaches include: |
| covers the ends of long bones functions mainly as a | | | | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) |
| cushion for joints. It also, because it is covered by a | | | | help with pain and inflammation. They do have |
| thin layer of lubricating material called "synovial fluid" | | | | potential side effects that require close monitoring. |
| also acts to allow gliding of joints.Osteoarthritis is a | | | | Physical therapy. Various types of treatments |
| disease of cartilage. The cartilage becomes damaged | | | | such as electrical stimulation, diathermy, and |
| and begins to wear away. | | | | ultrasound,can reduce pain. And exercises which |
| Cartilage does not have a blood or nerve supply... As | | | | strengthen the muscles supporting the joint may help |
| a result, unlike damaged skin or muscles or other | | | | to reduce the pressure on the joint, and reduce pain. |
| organ systems that can heal, damaged cartilage early | | | | Assistive devices. Canes, walkers, and braces are |
| on does not cause pain and will not heal quickly. | | | | sometimes useful. |
| There are three types of cartilage: | | | | Lifestyle changes. Weight reduction, regular |
| Elastic cartilage is a pliable form of cartilage found | | | | exercise, and so on can be useful. |
| in structures such as the outside of the ears, nose, | | | | Corticosteroid injections can reduce pain and |
| and epiglottis. | | | | swelling temporarily but should not be given in the |
| Fibrocartilage is a tough type of cartilage and is | | | | same joint more than 3 times per year. |
| very shock resistant. It is found in the discs that | | | | Viscosupplments are special lubricants that may |
| form part of the spinal column and also is the type of | | | | dramatically improve pain and mobility when injected |
| cartilage that makes up the meniscus (ring of cushion | | | | into a joint. It is strongly recommended that steroid |
| material) located in the knees, hips, and shoulders. | | | | and viscosupplement injections be given using |
| Hyaline cartilage is a softer type of cartilage that | | | | ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement of |
| is found most commonly in joints. | | | | injections. |
| Cartilage damage is not painful early on, since no | | | | When non-surgical approaches aren't enough, then |
| nerve fibers are present. However, as the problem | | | | surgical treatments may be required. |
| progresses and develops into arthritis, there are | | | | Arthroscopic lavage and debridement employs an |
| symptoms which do occur. | | | | arthroscope to wash the joint out. The technique |
| Symptoms of articular cartilage damage include: | | | | cannot repair the damaged cartilage, but it can help |
| decreased range of movement in the affected | | | | to reduce the pain and increase mobility. |
| joint | | | | Microfracture surgery: This is a procedure that |
| joint pain | | | | involves drilling tiny holes (micro fractures) into the |
| stiffness with inactivity | | | | bone underneath the damaged cartilage. This |
| swelling | | | | exposes the blood vessels inside the bone. Blood cells |
| If the damage is particularly severe, a piece of | | | | then begin to stimulate the production of new |
| cartilage can break off and become loose. In this | | | | cartilage. The disadvantage is that the newly formed |
| case, the loose piece of cartilage may affect the | | | | cartilage is fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage. |
| movement of the joint. This can cause a feeling of | | | | Fibrocartilage is not as strong as hyaline cartilage. |
| 'locking' or catching. Sometimes, the joint may also | | | | Therefore, it can wear away more quickly than |
| give way. | | | | hyaline cartilage. |
| Articular cartilage damage can occur as a result of | | | | Mosaicplasty: This is a technique that involves |
| trauma- a direct blow to the cartilage. This is why | | | | removing healthy cartilage from the non-weight |
| cartilage damage is often a problem for people who | | | | bearing areas of a join and using it to replace |
| play contact sports. | | | | damaged cartilage. |
| Cartilage can also become damaged gradually, over | | | | Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) : This is a |
| time. There is an increased risk of developing this | | | | technique where a small sample of cartilage cells is |
| type of cartilage damage for heavy individuals, or for | | | | taken from the non-weight-bearing part of the knee. |
| people with an anatomic abnormality which causes a | | | | The cells are sent to a laboratory where they are |
| structural problem with the joint. | | | | stimulated to divide and produce new cells. After a |
| Interestingly enough, immobility can also damage the | | | | few weeks, the number of cartilage cells will have |
| cartilage. | | | | increased by about 50-100 times from their original |
| The major problem when damage occurs to cartilage | | | | number. The new cartilage cells will then be placed |
| is that articular cartilage has a very limited capacity | | | | under a flap of material that is sewn over the |
| for self repair. A small amount of damage does not | | | | damaged part of the joint. |
| repair itself and often gets worse over time. | | | | For patients where cartilage has worn away |
| The diagnosis of cartilage damage can be suspected | | | | completely, total joint replacement is probably the |
| by a careful history and physical examination. | | | | procedure of choice. While it is successful for most |
| Confirmation can be obtained by diagnostic studies | | | | people, there are potential complications such as |
| such as: | | | | infection, blood clots, and prosthesis failure which can |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI scans use | | | | occur. |
| strong magnetic fields to produce detailed images of | | | | There are a number of research projects that are |
| the inside of the body. It can often detect cartilage | | | | currently investigating additional efficient and |
| damage. | | | | effective ways of repairing cartilage. |
| Diagnostic ultrasound: This relatively new method | | | | Hybrid cartilage is an investigational procedure |
| of musculoskeletal diagnosis uses sound waves to | | | | where human cartilage cells are combined with |
| image cartilage and inflammation. | | | | synthetic fibers to form a patch. |
| Arthroscopy: This is a form of surgery where an | | | | Stem cells: Another area of research is looking at |
| arthroscope- a small telescope is used to look inside | | | | ways of using special cells, known as stem cells, to |
| the joint. | | | | generate new cartilage. This latter procedure is |
| X-ray: While this is the traditional method of | | | | promising. Unfortunately, only a few centers |
| imaging, the drawback is that osteoarthritis has to be | | | | worldwide have the knowledge and expertise to |
| relatively severe before it shows up on x-ray. | | | | perform this procedure properly. |
| There are a number of treatments that can help to | | | | |