Cartilage Preservation - Protect Your Joints : Your online pharmacy selection

What is cartilage preservation and why is it important?

Cartilage preservation is an essential medical procedure aimed at maintaining or restoring the functionality and integrity of cartilage, a type of non-vascularized connective tissue that covers and protects the ends of bones in joints. This preservation is crucial, as cartilage reduces friction and distributes loads in the joints, facilitating movement and supporting the body's weight. Cartilage degradation can lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis and a significant reduction in quality of life.

What are the main causes of cartilage degradation?

Cartilage degradation can be caused by a number of factors:

• Age: the natural degeneration of cartilage occurs with age.
• Injury: Accidents or sports injuries can damage cartilage.
• Obesity: Excessive weight increases pressure on joints, accelerating cartilage wear.
• Disease: Certain illnesses, such as arthritis, can also lead to cartilage degradation.

How can cartilage degradation be prevented?

To prevent cartilage degradation, several strategies can be adopted:

1. Maintain a healthy weight: A balanced diet and controlled weight reduce pressure on joints and, consequently, on cartilage.
2. Regular physical activity: Moderate but regular exercise promotes joint health by strengthening the muscles that support them and stimulating the circulation of joint fluids, essential for nourishing cartilage.
3. Avoid repetitive movements: Limiting activities that exert excessive or continuous pressure on the same joints can help preserve cartilage health.
4. Use appropriate protective equipment when participating in sports or physical activities to reduce the risk of joint injury.

What are the treatment options for cartilage preservation?

Treatment options depend on the extent of cartilage degradation and may include:

• Lifestylemodifications: Adjusting diet and physical activity levels can help relieve symptoms.
• Physiotherapy: Specific exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the joints, reducing the load on cartilage.
• Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or chondroitin and glucosamine supplements can be used to manage pain and inflammation.
• Injections: Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections can be administered to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Surgery: In advanced cases, surgical interventions such as arthroscopy or joint prosthesis may be necessary to restore joint functionality.

What are the signs of cartilage degradation?

Signs of cartilage degradation may vary according to the intensity and location of wear, but generally include:

• Joint pain: occurring especially after periods of inactivity or following exertion.
• Morning stiffness: a feeling of stiffness in the joints, particularly felt in the morning.
• Swollen joints: due to inflammation.
• Reduced mobility: difficulty performing full movements in the affected joint.
• Cracking or noises: audible noises when the joint moves.

These symptoms can worsen over time, making early intervention essential to slow the progression of cartilage degradation.

How does nutrition influence cartilage health?

Nutrition plays a key role in cartilage health. Certain nutrients are essential for maintaining cartilage resilience and regeneration:

• Vitamin C: essential for the synthesis of collagen, a major component of cartilage.
• Proteins: provide the amino acids needed to build cartilage.
• Omega-3: natural anti-inflammatories that can help reduce inflammation around joints.
• Calcium and Vitamin D: important for bone health, which indirectly influences cartilage health.

A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish and low in processed sugars and saturated fats is recommended to maintain healthy cartilage.

Are there any recent advances in the treatment of cartilage degradation?

Yes, several recent advances have been made in the treatment of cartilage degradation:

• Cell therapy: using stem cells to regenerate damaged cartilage.
• Cartilage bioengineering: advanced techniques for growing cartilage in the laboratory, which can then be implanted.
• Arthroscopic techniques: less invasive surgical procedures to repair damaged cartilage.

These treatments are at the cutting edge of technology and offer new hope for people suffering from severe joint damage.

What role does exercise play in cartilage preservation?

Exercise plays a key role in cartilage preservation. It helps to

• Strengthen the muscles around the joints, thereby reducing the load on cartilage.
• Increase jointflexibility and mobility.
• Stimulate joint fluidcirculation, helping to nourish cartilage.

It's important to choose low-impact exercises, such as swimming or cycling, to avoid overloading the joints while keeping them active and healthy.

Can cartilage degradation be completely cured?

Cartilage degradation is generally irreversible and cannot be completely cured, but it is possible to effectively manage symptoms and slow the progression of degradation. Current treatments focus on:

• Relief of pain and inflammation.
• Improving joint function.
• Preventing further damage.