Cartilage Injuries and Arthritis Flashcards
What is the function of hyaline cartilage and where is it found
It covers the surface of bone in synovial joints
It decreases friction and distributes load
What is hyaline cartilage composed of
Water, collagen, protyeoglycans and chondrocytes
What do the proteoglycans do
The act like balloons to give compressive strength due to their highly hydrophilic nature
What are 3 conditions in which there is atraumatic cartilage defect
Osteochondritis dissecans
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis
If there is a cartilage injury, what is it healed with and what are its functions
Fibrocartilage
It has grater friction and is less wear resistant
Osteochondritis Dissecans is most common in what age group
Adolescence
What happens in osteochondritis Dissecans
An area of the surface of the knee loses its blood supply and cartilage +/- bone can fragment off. Can heal or resolve spontaneously
Cartilage regeneration is unsuccessful in what joint
Patellofemoral joint
What do we want to do in surgery of cartilage injuries
Try and stimulate bleeding to trigger stem cells differentiate and lay down new cartilage
What is osteoarthritis
Imbalance of cartilage breakdown and repair
What can predispose to osteoarthritis
Injury, malalignment, infection or generate meniscal tear
What are some of the techniques used to manage early osteoarthritis
Weight loss Stick Exercise Analgesia Activity modification
Who should have a knee replacement
Older patients with end stage arthritis
How long do Total Knee replacements usually last
15-20 years
What are some of the risks of a knee replacement
Deep infection Pain stiffness DVT/ PE Medical complications
