Why does the amount of cartilage decrease

Cartilage loss caused by a direct injury can result from blunt trauma to the joint. This can be from a severe car accident or even a very bad fall where the joint makes direct impact with the ground. Osteoarthritis is a very common degenerative condition that can get worse over time. The degeneration that occurs with this condition wears down the cartilage that cushions your joints. This condition can damage cartilage in any joint in your body, but is most often found in your knees, hips, and hands.

This type of injury is one that gets worse over time and results in damage to the cartilage and surrounding ligaments or tendons. This is a common occurrence in sports, as there are repetitive motions. This typically includes:. Our surgeons will then insert small instruments into your joint to repair the damaged cartilage and repair the surrounding tissue if needed.

This can be done by a method called microfracturing , which involves a sharp tool that our surgeons use to make small holes in the bone in your joint. This stimulates new blood supply, which in turn stimulates the growth of new cartilage.

It can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Causes of cartilage problems include. Osteoarthritis results from breakdown of cartilage. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Cartilage Disorders. On this page Basics Summary Treatments and Therapies. See, Play and Learn No links available.

Also check out these exercises for OA inflammation and pain. This can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Using assistive devices can help unload and provide support to arthritic joints.

Examples include:. According to Tufts University , losing as little as 5 pounds can help decrease the symptoms of OA, especially in large joints like your knees and hips. However, there are both medical treatments and lifestyle changes that you can adopt to help reduce your pain and manage other symptoms.

Osteoarthritis OA is a form of degenerative joint pain. Learn the early signs, such as pain and tenderness, stiffness, and loss of flexibility. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue found in the body. When an embryo is developing, cartilage is the precursor to bone.

Advanced osteoarthritis OA can significantly affect your quality of life. Find out what advanced OA involves and how to manage it. Researchers say physical activity does not increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee and may actually help reduce symptoms. Erosive osteoarthritis has many of the same symptoms as traditional osteoarthritis, though the earmarks of the disease are usually limited to the….

Find out what Healthline readers are wearing, and what you should look for the next time you go shoe shopping. Synvisc and Hyalgan are both viscosupplements used to treat osteoarthritis. Discover their similarities and differences, including side effects and…. Learn how to manage pain, swelling, and bruising after a total knee replacement here.

Learn about options such as analgesics and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Understanding Cartilage, Joints, and the Aging Process. The structure of joints. The natural process of aging. Risk factors for OA. Treatment for OA. Lifestyle changes and at-home remedies for OA. Read this next.