BE AWARE OF CARTILAGE DEGENERATION IN ELDERLY

This article is advised by MSc, 1st Degree Specialist Doctor  

NGUYEN VAN HOANG TAM - Musculoskeletal Medicine at CarePlus International Clinics. 

As you get older, normal wear and tear on your joints might contribute to their cartilage breaking down. 

Cartilage is one of the essential components of joints. Cartilage consists of two parts: a smooth outer surface that helps reduce joint friction and a spongy inner part filled with water that helps absorb shock when standing, walking, running, and jumping. Thanks to this structure, articular cartilage facilitates smooth joint movement and protects other joint structures. 

Cartilage degeneration is the beginning of Osteoarthritis. When cartilage degenerates, its surface becomes rough, causing wear down or damage as your bones rub against each other when you use your affected joints.

This can cause damage to other structures around the joint, such as bones, joint capsules, tendons, muscles, and ligaments, leading to the disease Osteoarthritis, causing the patient to have joint pain, stiffness, joint swelling, and joint deformity. 

Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, including the tissues around it. It is most common in the knees, hips, spine and hands. 

Although this condition is not life-threatening, it dramatically affects the patient's quality of life, so proactive diagnosis and intervention to slow down the progression of the disease will help the patient quickly get back to work and enjoy their life. 

Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any symptoms of Cartilage degeneration. Even minor joint pain can be a sign that you need treatment — especially if it doesn’t get better in a few days.