HOW DOES YOUR KNEE WORK?

The knee joint is a complex hinge joint that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and kneecap. A smaller bone on the outside of the knee is called the fibula, which helps in stability.

Menisci are two disc-shaped pieces of cartilage, which act as shock absorbers and help distribute weight evenly across the joint.

Ligaments and muscles of the knee joint provide stability.

WHAT IS CARTILAGE?

Cartilage is the lining in the joint that cushions the bones and helps them move smoothly against each other

While protecting the bones, the cartilage can sustain damage

Symptoms of cartilage damage

Pain and Swelling

Typical "Clicking" Sound

Stiffness and Locking

Painful Walking and Climbing

Difficulty Moving the Joint

Consult with orthopedic surgeon if you experience any these symptoms

Cartilage cannot repair itself

Cartilage contains a dense tissue matrix with very few cells, no blood vessels, or innervation. Unlike other tissues, cartilage lacks the ability to regenerate on its own. This is why cartilage injuries tend to become chronic and often worsen over time.

STAGES OF CARTILAGE DAMAGE

HEALTHY KNEE

I - IV grade cartilage damage

>

>

Complete loss of cartilage leads to knee replacement

EARLY TO MID-STAGE

ADVANCED STAGE

If the cartilage damage is left untreated, it might progress to irreversible cartilage damage

RECARTA is a patient-specific, biological, and regenerative cartilage cell therapy for knee cartilage damage

Reference: 1. Gomoll AH, et al. Surgical management of articular cartilage defects of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010.