"The first day I was told, that I had osteoarthritis, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me; I was done. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't run, so my life was over. But because I'm a competitive person, I wasn't going to let anything slow me down, and I turned it around and made it a positive."
-Kristin Armstrong,

U. S. Cyclist & 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist

While inflammation & tenderness in joints are the signs of arthritis condition; the most common form of arthritis is Osteoarthritis, which is rapidly affecting several people worldwide. Broadly, in this condition, the joints are damaged, usually due to overtime cartilage degeneration or wear & tear. Regeneration in osteoarthritis is an effective treatment to get relief from this joint issue. Let’s understand these concepts in detail.

What is Cartilage?

(Image adapted from orthocarolina.com)
Fig.1. Cartilage present between the joints

Cartilage is a tough yet smooth tissue, made of specialized cartilage cells or ‘chondrocytes’. Cartilage matrix is made up of proteoglycans, collagens, and non-collagenous proteins; which aid cartilage to attract water to give it specific shapes & particular properties. Cartilage is 85% water and is still a highly organized structure. Cartilage tissue exists in various forms and are present in our joints, bones, spine, lungs, nose, and ears.

Benefits of Cartilage

Articular or hyaline cartilage covers the bone ends to create a low-friction environment. Cartilage works as a shock absorber & cushion within the surface of the joint. Healthy joint cartilage helps in all bending/straightening movements and defends the joint against weight-bearing stresses. Cartilage assists in structural and functional purposes.

Cartilage Damage

Degeneration of cartilage with age is a common cause of cartilage damage. However, at times it can also happen due to excessive use, injury, accident, trauma, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, or Avascular Necrosis, Osteochondritis dissecans, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and so on. In such situations, the protective cushioning of joints is lost, the underlying ends of bones are exposed, and they end up rubbing against one another during any movements.

(Image adapted from https://northlandorthopaedicsurgeon.co.nz/knee-surgeon/cartilage-treatments/)
Fig.2. Normal Cartilage vs Damaged Cartilage

The joints affected by cartilage damage become stiff, painful with a restricted range of mobility or motion. Unlike other tissues, cartilage cannot completely heal itself because of no supply of blood.

Progress with Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritis : Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)

Patients can get relief from Osteoarthritis with the help of regeneration therapy. Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) is the process of extraction, transportation, isolation, culture & implantation of healthy cartilage tissue at the required area.

Treatment Procedure & Benefits

In Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Regeneration in Osteoarthritis, the implanted cartilage tissue takes the shape of the defected part and firmly settles. Eventually, forming a new cartilage. It is advantageous in many ways:

• Progression of cartilage damage is halted
• New & healthy cartilage is formed
• Joint is safely preserved
• Mobility is reinstated
• Pain-free & normal life can be resumed
• Can return to intense physical activities

All this can be made possible with a shorter hospital stay, durable treatment, and whole recovery. Experts recommend physiotherapy for total healing.

Regrow Biosciences offers CARTIGROW® - a Cartilage Cell Therapy for Regeneration in Osteoarthritis
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) was primarily brought to India by Regrow Biosciences as CARTIGROW®. By now,  CARTIGROW®, cartilage cell therapy has successfully treated more than 600 people. It is easily accessible in more than 40 cities and 350 hospitals such as Apollo, Fortis, Max-BLK, KDAH, & so on. CARTIGROW® regenerates cartilage tissues naturally.

Pioneer in India, and Leader in Asia: Regrow Biosciences, is a chief biotech organization, focused on enriching human healthcare by offering the most advanced & innovative regenerative medicine-based solutions including CARTIGROW® cartilage cell therapy; OSSGROW® bone cell therapy, & UREGROW® epithelial cell therapy.

Visit: https://www.regrow.in/cartigrow-for-cartilage-damage
For more details https://www.regrow.in/