Causes and Mechanism of Articular Cartilage Damage
- Injuries to ligaments and menisci
- Previous surgical interventions
- Traumatic accidents or falls
- Wear and tear over time
- Immobilization for long periods
- Limited capacity for self-repair
- Shallow damage may not trigger pain
- Blood supply in the bone initiates healing process
- Formation of fibrocartilage scar tissue
- Small defects can progress to osteoarthritis if untreated
Diagnosis of Articular Cartilage Damage
- No non-invasive tests available
- Symptoms vary from person to person
- MRI scans becoming more valuable
- X-rays only show bone injuries
- Arthroscopy is the best tool for diagnosis
Measuring Cartilage Damage
- International Cartilage Repair Society grading system
- Grade 0: Normal healthy cartilage
- Grade 1: Soft spot, blisters, or superficial wear
- Grade 2: Minor tears of less than half the thickness
- Grade 3: Deep crevices of more than half the thickness
- Grade 4: Full-thickness tear exposing underlying bone
- Size of each defect is often measured
- Location of the defect can influence symptoms and repair options
- Pain is not a reliable indicator of damage extent
- Untreated damage leads to worsening and higher grade defects
Treatment of Articular Cartilage Damage
- Regenerative procedures aim to delay osteoarthritis
- Intervention in early stages offers best results
- Improves quality of life and reduces pain
- Reduces knee swelling and mobility restrictions
- Research focused on regenerating damaged joints
Summary
- Articular cartilage damage can be caused by various factors, including injuries, previous surgeries, accidents, and wear and tear over time.
- The limited self-repair capacity of articular cartilage can lead to the formation of fibrocartilage scar tissue.
- Diagnosis of articular cartilage damage often requires arthroscopy, as non-invasive tests like MRI scans and X-rays are not sufficient.
- Measuring cartilage damage is done using the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system, which considers the size and location of defects.
- Treatment options for articular cartilage damage focus on regenerative procedures to delay osteoarthritis and improve quality of life. Early intervention offers the best results.
This article is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. (September 2009) |
Articular cartilage damage in the knee may be found on its own but it will more often be found in conjunction with injuries to ligaments and menisci. People with previous surgical interventions face more chances of articular cartilage damage due to altered mechanics of the joint. Articular cartilage damage may also be found in the shoulder causing pain, discomfort and limited movement. Cartilage structures and functions can be damaged. Such damage can result from a variety of causes, such as a bad fall or traumatic sport-accident, previous knee injuries or wear and tear over time. Immobilization for long periods can also result in cartilage damage.[citation needed]
Articular cartilage does not usually regenerate (the process of repair by formation of the same type of tissue) after injury or disease leading to loss of tissue and formation of a defect. This fact was first described by William Hunter in 1743. Several surgical techniques have been developed in the effort to repair articular cartilage defects.
