Cartilage acts as a kind of connective tissue in our body. The unique structure of cartilage makes it a flexible tissue but it is also very strong. It helps in keeping the motion of joints smooth as it coats the bone surfaces and acts as a cushion against force or impact. There are three types of cartilage in the body-elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage.
What causes damage to cartilage?
An injury or regular wear and tear can cause damage to cartilage tissues. If not treated timely, the damage can lead to arthritis. Unlike other tissues, cartilage doesn’t have a supply of blood and due to this, the damage that is done to cartilage cannot be repaired by the body.
How does the Regeneration of Cartilage work?
Once we reach adulthood, the repair of cartilage doesn’t work very well within the body, thankfully medical innovations have led to the regeneration of cartilage outside the body. In this process, rather than making use of an artificial implant, a natural way of healing the cartilage by using the cells of the patient is adopted. This can greatly help in regaining the normal function of the affected joint. Cultured cells are grown in a medical lab and are then injected with the aim to replace the dysfunctional or unhealthy cells.
How is the Regeneration of Cartilage done?
Small cuts or incisions are made in the bone to extract cartilage biopsy from a portion that may be considered a little less important. The procedure is generally conducted through arthroscopy. The extracted cartilage is sent to the lab where cells that match the size are constructed. This takes a few weeks. Once the cultured cells are ready, they are implanted through a small incision.
What to expect after the procedure?
After the successful implant of cartilage, a routine programme of rehabilitation is followed. Most patients can resume their everyday activities within 2 months. However, the doctor would be the best judge and the given instructions must be followed strictly.
Regeneration of cartilage is a process that involves a low risk of infection or disease transmission as there is no foreign material that goes inside. It can greatly help in preventing the progression of osteoarthritis which can further avert the need for a joint replacement.
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