The Role of Cartilage in Joint Health: What Happens When It’s Damaged?

Cartilage plays a critical role in maintaining healthy joints. It serves as a cushion between bones, allowing for smooth, pain-free movement. But when cartilage is damaged—whether through injury, wear and tear, or degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis—the impact on joint health can be significant. At MSK Doctors, we’re dedicated to helping patients understand how to protect and restore their cartilage. In this article, we’ll explore why cartilage is so essential, what happens when it’s damaged, and the latest regenerative treatments available to help restore joint function.

Why is Cartilage So Important for Joint Health?

Cartilage is a tough, flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones in your joints. It acts as a shock absorber, allowing your bones to glide over each other smoothly when you move. Unlike other tissues in the body, cartilage doesn’t have its own blood supply, meaning it relies on the surrounding joint fluid to receive nutrients and heal itself. This unique structure is what makes cartilage so essential—and so difficult to repair when damaged.

In healthy joints, cartilage allows for a wide range of motion without pain. Whether you’re walking, running, or simply bending your knee, cartilage absorbs the impact and protects the underlying bones from damage. Without it, movement becomes painful and limited.

Why it matters: Healthy cartilage is key to long-term joint function. Damage to this tissue can lead to conditions like osteoarthritis, where bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.

Expert Tip: If you start experiencing joint pain or stiffness, particularly after activity, it’s important to address these symptoms early to prevent further cartilage damage.

What Happens When Cartilage is Damaged?

Cartilage damage can occur for several reasons. Acute injuries, such as a fall or sports injury, can tear the cartilage, while long-term wear and tear—common in conditions like osteoarthritis—can gradually erode it. Because cartilage doesn’t heal easily on its own, damage can worsen over time if left untreated.

When cartilage becomes damaged, the cushioning effect it provides diminishes. This leads to increased friction between the bones, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, the joint may become less flexible, limiting your ability to perform everyday activities.

Common symptoms of cartilage damage include:

• Pain in the joint, especially during movement.
• Swelling or inflammation around the joint.
• Stiffness, particularly after rest or inactivity.
• A grinding or clicking sensation in the joint during movement.

Why it matters: If cartilage damage is left untreated, it can lead to more severe joint problems, including chronic pain and disability. Understanding the early signs of damage can help you seek treatment before the condition progresses.

Expert Tip: Early intervention, such as physiotherapy or regenerative treatments, can help slow down or even reverse cartilage damage.

Regenerative Treatments for Cartilage Damage

While cartilage doesn’t heal on its own, advances in regenerative medicine are offering new hope for patients with joint damage. At MSK Doctors, we offer cutting-edge treatments like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which aim to restore cartilage and improve joint health.

1. Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells are unique in their ability to develop into various types of tissues, including cartilage. By injecting stem cells directly into the damaged joint, we aim to stimulate the body’s natural repair processes, encouraging the growth of new cartilage tissue. This can help reduce pain, improve joint function, and slow the progression of conditions like osteoarthritis.

2. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP therapy involves using a concentrated form of your own blood’s platelets, which are rich in growth factors that promote healing. When injected into the damaged joint, PRP can accelerate the repair of cartilage, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.

3. Microfracture Surgery: For more severe cartilage damage, microfracture surgery may be recommended. This minimally invasive procedure involves creating tiny holes in the bone beneath the damaged cartilage, encouraging the body to form new cartilage in the joint.

Why it matters: Regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy and PRP provide non-invasive options for restoring damaged cartilage, potentially reducing the need for more invasive surgical procedures like joint replacement.

Expert Tip: These treatments work best when combined with physical therapy and lifestyle modifications, such as weight management and low-impact exercise, to maintain joint health.

FAQs: Cartilage and Joint Health

1. What causes cartilage damage?
Cartilage damage can occur due to acute injuries, such as falls or sports injuries, or as a result of long-term wear and tear from conditions like osteoarthritis. It can also be aggravated by repetitive stress, obesity, and poor joint alignment.

2. Can damaged cartilage heal on its own?
No, cartilage has a limited ability to heal because it lacks a direct blood supply. However, treatments like stem cell therapy, PRP, and surgical interventions can help restore damaged cartilage and improve joint function.

3. What are the symptoms of cartilage damage?
The most common symptoms include joint pain during movement, swelling or inflammation, stiffness, and a grinding sensation in the joint. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice early to prevent further damage.

4. How does stem cell therapy help with cartilage repair?
Stem cell therapy uses your body’s own stem cells to promote the regeneration of cartilage tissue. These cells are injected into the damaged area, where they can stimulate the growth of new cartilage, helping to repair the joint and reduce pain.

5. Is PRP therapy effective for cartilage damage?
Yes, PRP therapy has been shown to be effective in promoting the healing of cartilage by using the growth factors in platelets to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. It’s a minimally invasive option for treating joint damage.

6. Can cartilage damage lead to arthritis?
Yes, untreated cartilage damage can lead to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where the protective cartilage wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.