Can cartilage regenerate?

Our body’s ability to heal and regenerate itself through the creation of new tissues and cells is one of the most fascinating features of humans. Curiosity will lead many to ask if this is always the case, and those with a very specific problem to be even more precise – is the same case possible when it comes to cartilage regeneration?

Although it is made up of cells and tissues like our whole organism, unfortunately, our cartilage cannot repair itself. The reason is insufficient blood flow in these parts of the body, with which the cells would duplicate and remove the damage. A small degree of regeneration is certainly a real thing, but with age it will be increasingly difficult to recover from wear and tear due to overuse or degenerative joint diseases.

Cartilage, as a unique shock absorber at the ends of our bones, allows them to move smoothly and prevents direct contact, which can be extremely painful. When these magic pads, reduced mobility, swelling and joint pain become a harsh reality.

Cartilage damage comes with a big price – an active life and freedom of movement without pain. Until recently, treatment of articular cartilage defects provided very few options with very little improvement as a result and created defects elsewhere to correct the situation. Today, however, this is not the case and people with this problem can enjoy something that generations before them could only dream of – performing daily life activities without pain, with complete flexibility and mobility, and even enjoying sports.

Thanks to the power of stem cells from bone marrow obtained from patients’ bodies, it is now possible to repair damage to cartilage in the knees and hips. With the surgical procedure performed by the cartilage transplant, the patients regain flexibility and restore the ability to bear the weight of the body in the joints. This operation involves, first, removing the damaged tissue and “repairing” it with a film made from stem cells. Additionally, in order to ensure a positive outcome and save patients from re-exposure to anesthesia, other potential problems that led to cartilage damage are eliminated and treated. After the operation, in a period of several weeks to several months, the stem cells attach to the bone and create a connective tissue very similar to the original cartilage.

This method has established itself as a great prevention when cartilage damage is not too great, which allows patients to be spared the complicated installation of partial and total prostheses. Although knee cartilage transplantation is recommended for younger people, most often athletes and people who lead a more active lifestyle and are not older than 55, the biological age of the patient, not the number of years, is crucial in deciding whether someone is an adequate candidate. To obtain a complete picture, an X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging of the problematic joint are taken into account.

Recovery after surgery lasts about six weeks, during which it is necessary to use crutches for movement and avoid leaning on the operated joint in order to avoid possible complications. It is necessary to keep the leg raised as often as possible and cool the joints with compresses. Also, in order to prevent muscle atrophy and maintain joint mobility, physical therapy is recommended. After that, patients return to their daily life activities in a completely new edition.

Cartilage still remains a mystery and much work still needs to be done to discover and simplify ways to treat it. Damage to the cartilage is permanent and irreversible, and the improvement or deterioration of the condition depends on us. As with many other health problems, it is crucial to see a doctor without hesitation when the patient feels discomfort in order to clearly establish a clear picture of the problem. Waiting and long-term injury can lead to worsening of the condition, which is an aggravating circumstance for performing this procedure. Stiffness, swelling, reduced mobility and living with pain doesn’t have to be your reality.

BioCell Hospital represents a unique institution in standard and advanced medicine and in its practice applies the latest medical achievements and technology of the last generation. As part of a group that represents a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, we gather in our ranks leading medical experts of world renown. Their experience combined with technology enables the application of the latest achievements in medicine, and cartilage regeneration with stem cells is certainly one of them. Therefore, if you are near our premises or have a specific question or concern for us, visit us or contact us by e-mail or phone. Driven by empathy, at BioCell Hospital we are especially proud of our commitment to patients, even those who are still potential! We will be very happy to answer you and hopefully start the journey to a healthy future that starts with us.

For all additional information and appointments, call the BioCell Hospital contact center at 011 66 88 000 or 060 66 88 000, and you can also contact us via the contact form by clicking on the CONTACT link