About 1 to 3 months later, the new cartilage cells are implanted into the knee where they grow into healthy tissue.This study aim to evaluate surgical procedures for titanium plate internal fixation of costal cartilage fractures with displacement or nonunion. Here it is grown to produce more cartilage cells.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation – a small piece of cartilage is removed and taken to a laboratory.

Mosaicplasty is only used for isolated areas of cartilage damage, generally limited to 10-20 millimeters in size this technique is most commonly used in patients under the age of 50 who picked up damage from an accident. This procedure is not suitable when there is widespread damage, as in osteoarthritis. Mosaicplasty – healthy, undamaged cartilage is taken from one area and moved to the damaged site.This means it wears away more quickly, and the patient may need further surgery later on. Unfortunately, the new cartilage that grows is less supple than the original cartilage type. This causes a blood clot to form inside the cartilage that triggers the production of new cartilage.

Marrow stimulation – under the damaged cartilage, the surgeon drills tiny holes (micro-fractures), exposing the blood vessels that lie inside the bone.The procedure is done using small arthroscopic instruments, such as a mechanical shaver. Debridement – smoothing the damaged cartilage and removing loose edges to prevent it from rubbing and irritating other parts of the body.There are several surgical options, depending on a number of factors, which include the age and activity level of the patient, how big the lesion is, and how long ago the injury happened. Surgery – patients who do not respond to conservative treatment will need surgery. If the damage is not extensive, this may be all the patient needs. Share on Pinterest Surgery for cartilage damage is generally a last resort.Ĭonservative treatment (non-surgical) – some patients respond well to conservative treatment, which can include special exercises, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and sometimes steroid injections.Įxercises may include physical therapy and/or a program the patient can do at home. According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), one-third of American adults aged over 45 suffers from some type of knee pain. When cartilage in a joint is damaged, it can cause severe pain, inflammation, and some degree of disability – this is known as articular cartilage. For example, a slipped disk is a type of fibrocartilage damage, while a hard impact on the ear can cause elastic cartilage damage. It is found between the ribs, around the windpipe, and between the joints (articular cartilage).Įlastic cartilage, fibrocartilage, and hyaline cartilage can all be damaged. Hyaline cartilage – springy, tough, and elastic.It is found between the discs and vertebrae of the spine and between the bones of the hip and pelvis. Fibrocartilage – the toughest type of cartilage, able to withstand heavy weights.Elastic cartilage makes up the outside of the ears and some of the nose. Elastic cartilage (yellow cartilage) – the most springy and supple type of cartilage.Because of this, damaged cartilage takes much longer to heal, compared with other tissues that are supplied by blood. Unlike other types of tissue, cartilage does not have a blood supply. In children, the ends of the long bones are made of cartilage, which eventually turns into bone.Some body parts are made almost entirely of cartilage, for example, the external parts of our ears.Holds bones together, for instance, the bones of the ribcage.Reduces friction and acts as a cushion between joints and helps support our weight when we run, bend, and stretch.

Share on Pinterest Cartilage is tissue that cushions the bones.Ĭartilage has several functions in the human body:

Injured rib cartilage