How To Grow Your Cartilage. Can We Actually Do It?

Summary

In this video, Dr. Paul and Dr. Brad discuss cartilage regeneration, focusing on the limitations and realities of current medical treatments. They explain the various surgical techniques, like microfracture and MACI, that can repair cartilage damage but not regenerate it. Despite promising research, cartilage does not naturally heal in adults, and no supplements or stem cell therapies have been proven to regrow cartilage. The doctors caution viewers about misleading online claims and stress the importance of scientific evidence and critical evaluation when considering treatments for arthritis and joint pain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cartilage is the smooth, cushioned tissue at the end of bones in joints that helps them move smoothly without friction.
• 😀 Once damaged, cartilage cannot regenerate on its own, especially after puberty. The body lacks the natural ability to heal or regrow cartilage.
• 😀 Surgical techniques like microfracture, drilling, and MACI (Matrix-Assisted Cartilage Implantation) can repair cartilage but don't regenerate it.
• 😀 Microfracture involves creating tiny holes in the bone beneath damaged cartilage to stimulate healing, but it leads to scar tissue (fibrocartilage), not true cartilage.
• 😀 MACI is a more advanced technique where cartilage is grown in the lab and re-implanted into the joint, but it’s effective only for small, localized damage.
• 😀 There is no current scientific evidence that supplements, such as glucosamine, MSM, or shark cartilage, can regrow cartilage or reverse arthritis.
• 😀 While supplements may alleviate arthritis symptoms (pain and inflammation), they do not address the underlying cartilage damage.
• 😀 Stem cell therapies are still in research phases and, although promising, cannot yet regenerate cartilage effectively in the human body.
• 😀 PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections may help reduce symptoms of arthritis but do not regenerate cartilage or repair joint damage.
• 😀 Claims of products or treatments that can regenerate cartilage should be met with skepticism, as they often lack extraordinary evidence to support their effectiveness.
• 😀 Regenerative medicine research is ongoing, but as of now, there is no pill, supplement, or easy solution for regrowing cartilage.

Q & A

What is cartilage and why is it important for joint function?

Cartilage is a smooth, shiny tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints. It allows bones to glide over each other smoothly, facilitating painless and efficient movement of joints.

Why might someone want to regenerate their cartilage?

People may want to regenerate cartilage if they suffer from arthritis, or if they have experienced trauma that damaged the cartilage in their joints, leading to pain, swelling, and dysfunction.

What are the three common surgical methods for regenerating cartilage?

The three common surgical methods are microfracture, drilling, and abrasion arthroplasty. These procedures aim to create bleeding in the area of cartilage damage to encourage the formation of fibrocartilage, a scar-like tissue.

How is fibrocartilage different from articular cartilage?

Fibrocartilage is a form of scar tissue, while articular cartilage is smooth and durable, allowing for smooth joint movement. Fibrocartilage lacks the same mechanical properties and does not function as effectively as true articular cartilage.

Why is cartilage regeneration difficult in adults?

Cartilage regeneration is difficult in adults because once a person passes puberty and their growth plates close, cartilage loses its ability to heal or regenerate naturally. Unlike other tissues in the body, such as bone or skin, cartilage has very limited regenerative potential.

Can stem cell therapy regenerate cartilage?

Currently, stem cell therapy does not regenerate cartilage. While stem cells have the potential to develop into various types of tissue, scientists have not yet figured out how to direct them to become functional cartilage in joints.

What is PRP therapy and does it regenerate cartilage?

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy involves taking a patient's blood, isolating the platelet-rich part, and injecting it back into the joint. While it may reduce symptoms like pain and swelling, PRP does not regenerate cartilage.

Are there any supplements that can regenerate cartilage?

No, there are no supplements or foods that have been scientifically proven to regenerate cartilage. While some supplements might reduce symptoms like pain, they do not restore cartilage in joints.

What should people look for when assessing claims about cartilage regeneration?

People should critically evaluate claims about cartilage regeneration by asking whether the product or treatment has been proven through rigorous scientific studies. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and most of these claims lack such evidence.

What advice is given for individuals with arthritis looking for treatment?

Individuals with arthritis should be cautious of treatments or supplements that claim to regenerate cartilage. It's important to rely on evidence-based approaches, including surgical options and ongoing research in regenerative medicine, while being aware that true cartilage regeneration is not yet achievable.