A cartilage function is an area of cartilage that is easily damaged. Cartilage causes are most commonly found in bones at joints of the body. The word “Cartilage” comes from the Latin word cartilage which means “Cartilage” or “Gristle”. It has many functions like Shock absorber and Acts as a mould. The Shock absorber used to prevent all damage and helpful to control weight when running, stretching, moving or bending. Acts as a mould, instance the outside of the ears and nose are made up of cartilage and does not support bones.
Main Symptoms of Cartilage Damage
• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Decreased range of movement in the affected joint.
Types of Cartilage
There are three types of Cartilage is the most common and very important to the patients.
Elastic Cartilage:
It is the supple and springy type of cartilage and that makes up the part of nose, out of the ears and epiglottics.
Fibrocartilage:
This is the toughest type of cartilage. It is found between the discs and vertebrae of the spine and between the hip bones and pelvis bones.
Hyaline Cartilage:
It is the most common type of cartilage damage, found between the rins, windpipe and the joints.
Arthroscopy Grading System
Grade 0: The Cartilage is healthy, undamaged and intact.
Grade 1: It has some blistering and soft spots.
Grade 2: There is a minor defect (less than 50 percent) in the Cartilage, minor tears in the Cartilage surface.
Grade 3: It is deep crevices and defect (more than 50 percent) in the Cartilage.
Grade 4: This type has lost all of its thickness and exposes the underlying bone.
