CARTILAGEPROTECTION FOR KNEE

The articular cartilage is a connective tissue found in the knee joint. Cartilage is a tough and smooth elastic tissue, which is having rubbery consistency and it protects the bone-ends of long bones at the joints. Apart from being present in the knee joint, cartilage is also seen in the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the bronchial tubes, the intervertebral discs, and many other body components.

WHAT I S THE ROLE OFCARTILAGE?

Cartilage is having many important functions, such as:

  • It works as a cushion between the joints and helps in supporting the body weight, when we run, or bend or stretch.
  • Works as a lubricant in the joint between the bones.
  • Holds bones together, for instance, the bones of the ribcage.
  • Somebody parts are made almost entirely of cartilage, for example, the external parts of our ears.
  • In children, the ends of the long bones are made of cartilage, which eventually turns into bone.
  • Make joint movements smooth and friction-free.

Types of cartilage?

Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue, which is not as rigid as a bone, but it is stiffer and less flexible than the muscle tissue. Elastic, Hyaline, and Fibrous cartilage are the types of cartilage seen.

Do  you know the root cause of knee pain in Osteoarthritis is Cartilage Damage or Degradation

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What if the Cartilage gets damaged

Damage to cartilage is a common occurrence. The most commonly affected is the knee cartilage, while other joints such as hips, ankles, are also affected, but the prevalence is less.

Injuries which are not that severe, cartilage heals on its own within a few weeks, but if there is severe damage then definitely you need medical help and in many cases it requires surgery.

HOW THE CARTILAGE GETS DAMAGED?

It can sustain a sudden injury, such as while playing sports or also as a result of aging (osteoarthritis) and get damaged.

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HOW TO DIAGNOSE

  • There is persistent pain in the knee joint, even while resting and the pain increases when weight is placed ( weight lifting).
  • There is swelling in and around the knee, which may be visible for only a few hours or some days.
  • The movement of the knee joint is not smooth and there is a restriction.
  • The patient may feel the click or grinding sound from the knee joint.
  • There is a sudden joint locking.

Before coming to any conclusion, it is important to differentiate whether the knee pain is from cartilage damage or due to minor injuries such as sprains, etc.

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WHEN DO YOU NEEDMEDICAL HELP?

  • If you are unable to move the joint smoothly
  • Over-the-counter analgesics fail to control the pain
  • If you are unable to place weight on the knee joint
  • If there is a loss of shape at the site of injury
  • If there is a change in the color of the affected area, the temperature is lower than normal and you feel numbness
  • Even after taken treatment, there is no improvement in the symptoms

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