Cartilage injuries and arthritis Flashcards
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
Covering the surface of bones at synovial joints
What are the functions of hyaline cartilage?
Decrease friction
Distribute load
Describe the structure of hyaline cartilage
Water
Collage type II
Proteoglycans
Chondrocytes
What do chondocytes do?
Produce collagen (type II), proteoglycans and enzymes which help maintain the extracellular matrix
How does hyaline cartilage receive it’s nutrition?
Synovial fluid
Subchondral bone
What is the function of proteoglycans?
Highly hydrophilic molecules which “inflate like balloons” to provide compressive strength
What is the function of collagen?
Tensile strength
What are proteoglycans made of?
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaline cartilage defects can be traumatic or atraumatic. Give some examples of both
Traumatic - Ligament injury - Dislocation Atraumatic - Osteochondritis dissecans - Osteoarthritis - Inflammatory arthritis
Which type of cartilage injuries heal? What is different about healed cartilage as compared to normal cartilage?
Full thickness
Not hyaline but fibrocartilage which is less wear resistant with greater friction
What is osteochondritis dissecans?
Area of the knee loses its blood supply and cartilage +/- bone fragment detachment
In what age group is osteochondritis dissecans most common?
Adolescents
How is osteochondritis dissecans managed?
May heal/resolve spontaneously
Can pin in place if detaching on MRI
Can fix or remove if detached
Cartilage regeneration in severe cases
Is cartilage regeneration more effective on big or small defects?
Small
Which joint can cartilage regeneration techniques NOT be performed on? Why?
Patellofemoral joint
There is too much sheer stress at this joint for it to be effective