Cartilage Disorders

Summary

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other. It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.

Injured, inflamed, or damaged cartilage can cause symptoms such as pain and limited movement. It can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Causes of cartilage problems include :

• Tears and injuries, such as sports injuries
• Genetic factors
• Other disorders, such as some types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis results from breakdown of cartilage.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Treatments and Therapies

• Arthroscopy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Glucosamine: Does It Protect Cartilage in Osteoarthritis? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Children

• Cauliflower Ear Nemours Foundation
• Costochondritis (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Growth Plate Fractures American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Pectus excavatum repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Cartilage Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Polychondritis, Relapsing National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Costochondritis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Enchondroma American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Hallux Rigidus American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Hip Labral Tear Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Osteochondritis Dissecans American Academy of Family Physicians
• Osteochondrodysplasias Merck & Co., Inc.
• Perichondritis Merck & Co., Inc.

Patient Handouts

• Costochondritis Medical Encyclopedia
• Meniscus tears — aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Pectus carinatum Medical Encyclopedia
• Pectus excavatum Medical Encyclopedia
• Perichondritis Medical Encyclopedia

Genetics

• Familial osteochondritis dissecans: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Find an Expert

• Find a Rheumatologist American College of Rheumatology
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Related Issues

• Growth Plate Injuries National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Teenagers

• Healthy Joints Matter National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Meniscus Tears Nemours Foundation

Encyclopedia

• Knee microfracture surgery Medical Encyclopedia
• Meniscal allograft transplantation Medical Encyclopedia
• Pectus excavatum – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Pectus excavatum repair Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Cartilage Disorders