Introduction
Cartilage is a firm but pressure-elastic tissue and consists of a network of connective tissue fibers. The so-called hyaline cartilage lines joint surfaces and ensures that the bones of the joint partners do not rub against each other. If joint wear and tear (arthrosis) occurs, the joint cartilage loses substance.
In the case of initial wear, this leads to pain at the start of movement or after prolonged or strenuous movement. Later, pain at rest also occurs. In order to delay a surgical joint replacement, there are approaches to rebuild the lost cartilage and thus reduce the symptoms of arthrosis.
Can cartilage be rebuilt?
Reconstructing lost cartilage is difficult. Especially when a lot of cartilage has already been worn out, cartilage reconstruction is difficult or often impossible. However, there are various approaches to prevent further cartilage degradation and activate possible cartilage build-up, especially if the cartilage damage is not yet too extensive: These include in particular nutrition and exercise therapy.
In nutrition, for example, various foods that minimize cartilage degradation, such as potatoes or rice, should be consumed more frequently and foods that accelerate cartilage degradation, such as eggs, dairy products or alcohol, should be avoided. Since the cartilage tissue is not directly supplied with blood, it is important to stimulate the exchange of fluids and metabolism in the cartilage through exercise so that defective cartilage can regenerate. In order to have a positive effect on cartilage formation through exercise, joint-gentle sports such as swimming, rowing or cycling should be chosen.
Cartilage protection and build-up preparations such as glucosamine, which is intended to stimulate the formation of new cartilage, can also be taken. The injection of hyaluronic acid or polynucleotide gel, which activates the cartilage cells, is intended to minimize the discomfort of cartilage degradation. Another approach, particularly helpful for young osteoarthritis patients in whom the cartilage is not yet severely affected, benefits from new research in which the body’s own stem cells are injected into the damaged joint, which can then convert into cartilage cells.
Another possibility is the transplantation of the body’s own cartilage (autologous chondrocyte transplantation). In this procedure, intact cartilage is taken from the knee, for example, and cultivated in the laboratory before being reinserted in the defective area. However, this method has only been successful with minor cartilage damage.
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