Cartilage Biomechanics and Implications for Treatment of Cartilage Injuries

Orthopaedic surgeons are involved in the care of the entire musculoskeletal system, which encompasses a wide variety of tissues with differing healing potentials. On one side of the spectrum is bone, which is one of the few tissues that can heal without scarring. On the other side of the spectrum is cartilage, which provides structural support and load bearing, but has little healing potential. The structural content and organization of cartilage are essential to its biomechanical functions. Understanding how the unique characteristics of different types of cartilage relate to their functions will help surgeons select the optimal treatments for cartilage injuries.