Articular Cartilage: Structure and Restoration

Articular cartilage is composed of hyaline cartilage which functions to minimize friction between the articulations of synovial joints and act as a shock absorber of the daily loads applied to the joints: both of these serve to protect the underlying bone. Injuries to articular cartilage and associated subchondral bone are some of the most commonly encountered disorders in the field of orthopedics. It is critical to understand the normal function and structure of articular cartilage/bone composite to further understand and treat the debilitating diseases associated with this tissue within the knee organ.