What is thinning of the articular cartilage?

What is thinning of the articular cartilage?

As the loss of the articular cartilage lining continues, the underlying bone has no protection from the normal wear and tear of daily living and begins to break down, leading to osteoarthritis. Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by three processes: a progressive loss of cartilage.

What will result if cartilage thinning?

Patients with damage to the cartilage in a joint (articular cartilage damage) will experience: Inflammation – the area swells, becomes warmer than other parts of the body, and is tender, sore, and painful. Stiffness. Range limitation – as the damage progresses, the affected limb will not move so freely and easily.

What causes degeneration of articular cartilage?

This results from the traumatic subluxation of the femur relative to the tibia that occurs while the ligament is being torn. Typically, these individuals develop rapid deterioration in the status of the involved joint. Loss of proprioception contributes to the development of osteoarthritis in this setting.

Can articular cartilage be repaired?

Articular cartilage cannot be repaired directly but we can undertake various procedures that can help it to heal and repair itself. The simplest procedures involve inspecting the cartilage arthroscopically and removing loose fragments or smoothing down rough surfaces.

Can you live without articular cartilage?

If there was no articular cartilage the bone surfaces would rapidly wear away due the friction that occurs when bone rubs against bone. Articular cartilage is self-lubricating because of its high fluid content which gives it the lowest coefficient of friction of any natural or man-made material.

What type of joint disease is described by deterioration of articular cartilage?

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.

What causes articular cartilage damage?

Injury to the articular cartilage may be the result of a chronic wear and tear process, or may be caused by a traumatic knee injury such as an ACL tear. Patients with articular cartilage injury will often complain of knee pain, especially with activity, swelling and stiffness.

What causes cartilage loss in joints?

Cartilage loss caused by a direct injury can result from blunt trauma to the joint. This can be from a severe car accident or even a very bad fall where the joint makes direct impact with the ground. If you’re an athlete, sporting injuries are also a cause of cartilage loss.

What foods can help rebuild cartilage?

7 Foods that Help Rebuild Cartilage

• Legumes. For optimal joint function, it is important to beat inflammation wherever possible—inflammation is the primary source of collagen and, by extension, cartilage breakdown.
• Oranges.
• Pomegranates.
• Green Tea.
• Brown Rice.
• Nuts.
• Brussel Sprouts.