What is Cartilage? Let's talk about it simply!

Have you ever wondered how easily the joints in our body bend and stretch, and how they withstand the pressure when we run and jump? Cartilage is a substance that helps us a lot in all of this, but we don't pay much attention to it. So, today we'll talk about what this cartilage is, how important it is to our body, what happens if something happens to it, and how we can take care of it.

What is Cartilage?

Simply put, cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue . It acts as a shield that protects our bones and joints. It acts as a shock absorber throughout our body. Think about it, because of this cartilage at the ends of your bones, when you use your joints, the bones do not rub against each other, friction is reduced, and you can move easily. Not only that, but this cartilage is also the main tissue in some parts of our body. These parts are given their shape and structure by this cartilage. However, this cartilage can also be damaged. Sometimes it happens suddenly – because of an injury while playing sports, or because of another accident (` Trauma `). Otherwise, it can be damaged little by little over time, and eventually lead to a condition like osteoarthritis . If this cartilage is damaged in any way, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, for us to use our joints as we normally would.

What actually happens to cartilage?

Cartilage is said to protect our bones and joints. That is, it acts as a cushion around the ends of bones and fills the gaps in the joints where bones meet. Cartilage has three main functions:

• Shock absorption: When we walk, run, and jump, the pressure and shock that comes to our bones and joints are absorbed by this cartilage . That is, the stress that comes to the bones is reduced. Imagine that you jump on the ground without shoes, and then jump again with a pair of good running shoes . The cartilage works like the cushion in those shoes, inside our joints, around the bones.

• Reducing friction: Cartilage acts as a lubricant for our joints. It helps our bones glide smoothly over each other, rather than rubbing against each other. This is why our joints work smoothly and without any blockages. It also reduces the wear and tear on the joints.

• Supporting body parts: Cartilage is what keeps our joints in shape when we move. Not only that, it also helps connect other tissues together and connects them to bones. Our muscles`), tendons (`tendons`), and ligaments (`ligaments`) are connected to cartilage throughout our bodies.

Also, cartilage is the main tissue in some parts of our body, such as:

• Your nose
• Earplugs
• The windpipe (that's `(Trachea)`)

Where is cartilage located in our body?

Simply put, there is a cushion of this cartilage almost everywhere in your body where two bones meet . Also, this cartilage is definitely present at the ends of every bone that forms a joint.

Are there types of cartilage?

Yes, there are three main types of cartilage in our body. Let's see what they are.

• Hyaline cartilage
• Fibrocartilage
• Elastic cartilage

Hyaline cartilage

This is the most common type of cartilage in our bodies. It covers your joints and is found at the ends of your bones. Hyaline cartilage, which is found at the ends of your bones, is sometimes called articular cartilage . Hyaline cartilage is very slippery and smooth . That's why our bones can move smoothly inside our joints without rubbing against each other. Although it is flexible, it is strong enough to keep our joints in shape. Hyaline cartilage is found in several places in our bodies:

• At the ends of the bones that make up the joints
• Between our ribs
• In the nasal passages

Fibrocartilage

As the name suggests, this is a very strong type of cartilage made up of thick fibers . It is less flexible than the other two types of cartilage. However, this fibrocartilage is very important for holding parts of our body in place and absorbing shocks and vibrations. Fibrocartilage is found in:

• The meniscus in your knee (you may have heard about this when talking about knee problems)
• In the discs between the vertebrae (that is, the spine) of our spine
• Throughout the body as a support for muscles, tendons, and ligaments

Elastic cartilage

This is the most flexible type of cartilage in our body. It is this elastic cartilage that supports the parts of our body that need to bend, move, and regain their shape. These can return to their original shape even after a strong impact. Think of your ear. Touch it, it is made of this elastic cartilage. Can we bend and stretch it as much as we want without it hurting? But it always returns to its original shape, right? That is the specialty of this elastic cartilage. The places where elastic cartilage is found are:

• Our outer ears (that is, the earlobes that are visible outside the body)
• Eustachian tubes (this is the tube that carries sound from our outer ear to the inside of our head)
• Larynx`(Larynx)` (The box that makes our voice)

What are the common conditions that can affect cartilage?

There are several main problems that affect cartilage:

• Injuries: Cartilage can be damaged or torn due to sports injuries or other accidents. You may have heard of a torn meniscus in the knee or a separated shoulder. In such cases, there is a high chance of damage to the cartilage in the joints. Sometimes, an injury to a joint can lead to a condition called osteochondritis dissecans (sometimes called osteochondral lesions by doctors).

• Osteoarthritis : This is the most common type of arthritis . In fact, it is estimated that about 80% of people over the age of 55 have some degree of osteoarthritis. As we age, the cartilage in our joints gradually wears down and begins to break down. Eventually, the joints become less cushioned and lubricated, which can lead to pain and swelling.

• Herniated disks: Sometimes called slipped disks , ruptured disks, or bulging disks, this condition occurs when a disc (a type of cartilage) between the vertebrae (or vertebrae) in our spine ruptures or becomes bulging.

What tests are done to check the condition of cartilage?

Your doctor will not usually feel the cartilage separately. Instead, he or she will do a physical exam to see if there is damage to the cartilage and what your symptoms are. Or, they may use imaging tests to look inside your body, such as:

• X-rays
• MRI ( MRI ) test
• CT scan `( CT scan )` test

What do you do when cartilage is damaged? What are the treatments?

When your cartilage is damaged, the treatment you receive depends on where it is in your body and how it was damaged. Often, when cartilage is torn or broken, it also damages other parts of the body (such as bones and ligaments). Your doctor or surgeon will try to treat the entire injury, which includes the cartilage. Some cartilage injuries heal on their own with rest and time. But some require surgery (often called arthroscopy).You need to fix it. Your surgeon may be able to stitch the cartilage back together, or reshape it (you may be told to do this by trimming or shaving it) to restore its function. Talk to your doctor or surgeon about what to expect and how long it will take to heal.

One important thing you need to know here is that cartilage is ``avascular.'' This means, in medical terms, it does not receive a direct blood supply. Therefore, cartilage takes longer to heal than other tissues in the body.

So, how do you keep this precious cartilage in good condition?

In fact, the same simple things we do to live a healthy life also help our cartilage (and the structures that support it) function well. That means:

• Regular exercise: This strengthens the muscles around the joints and provides good support for the joints.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight: As we gain weight, our joints, especially the knees and hips, become more stressed. This can cause cartilage to wear down more quickly.
• Completely avoiding smoking and using tobacco products: These can reduce the blood supply to the cartilage and damage its health.

If you are recovering from an injury, it is very important to follow your doctor's or surgeon's instructions exactly . They may tell you to rest the injured part of your body for a few weeks (or even longer). Give it plenty of rest.

Finally, the most important thing for you to remember!

Now you can see how essential cartilage is for everything we do, whether we stand, walk, run, jump, or use our joints and bones. They absorb shock and help our bodies move smoothly without rubbing against each other. It's true that if one of your cartilages, especially one in a joint, is injured, it can take a while to heal. But, never rush into it. If you start doing heavy work like running or playing sports again before the cartilage has fully healed, you're more likely to get injured again. So, be patient, take the treatment your doctor tells you to, get plenty of rest, and gradually get back to normal. Then you can be healthy again.

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` Cartilage, joints, bones, osteoarthritis, injuries, health, exercise