Fundamental sciences of articular cartilage
Keywords:
cartilage, basic science, osteoarthritisAbstract
Articular cartilage is a specialized connective tissue located in synovial joints and is essential for their proper movement. It covers and lubricates the bone surfaces, and among its functions, its ability to reduce friction between them stands out, acting as a natural shock absorber by absorbing and distributing load forces, thereby protecting the subchondral bone from impact and wear.
It is mainly composed of extracellular matrix, type II collagen, and chondrocytes. Its anatomy and structural organization make it crucial for maintaining joint stability and allowing free movement.
When articular cartilage suffers an injury —whether due to trauma, mechanical overload, natural degeneration, among other factors— joint function is compromised, leading to consequences such as difficulty and limitation of movement, pain, joint stiffness, inflammation, and progressive wear.
The diagnosis of articular cartilage lesions is primarily performed using advanced imaging techniques. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the method of choice due to its high resolution in soft tissues.
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Accepted 2025-11-03
Published 2025-12-08
