Modern methods of articular cartilage repair.
Articular cartilage has only a limited capacity for regeneration. Articular cartilage damage, that does not penetrate to the subchondral layer of the bone, is not likely to repair itself and heal, but usually leads to degeneration of the articular surfaces. Damage that penerates to the subchondral layer is healed by the formation of fibrous cartilage, instead of the normal hyaline cartilage. From the biomechanical point of view, the problem here is that fibrous cartilage is resistant to strong tension only, while hyaline cartilage serves to resist strong pressure, provide a smooth articular surface, and withstands constant and heterogeneous compressing and shearing forces. For this reason the management of deep articular cartilage deficits has always posed a major challenge for physicians. The purpose of this article is to review the methods used to repair damaged articular cartilage.
Antolak
L
L
Carolina Medical Center, Warszawa.