Broskvävnadsersättning

Broskvävnadsersättning, also known as cartilage tissue replacement or cartilage repair, refers to surgical and non-surgical techniques aimed at restoring damaged or lost articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, allowing them to glide over each other with minimal friction. Damage to this tissue, often caused by injury, overuse, or degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function.

Various methods exist for broskvävnadsersättning. Surgical options include arthroscopic procedures like microfracture, where small holes are created in the bone beneath the cartilage to stimulate the formation of new fibrocartilage. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) involves harvesting healthy cartilage cells, growing them in a lab, and then implanting them back into the damaged area. Osteochondral autograft transplantation uses healthy cartilage and underlying bone from a donor site within the same patient's body to fill the defect. Allograft transplantation utilizes cartilage and bone from a deceased donor.

Non-surgical approaches often focus on managing symptoms and slowing the progression of cartilage degeneration. These can include physical therapy, pain medication, corticosteroid injections, and viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid to lubricate the joint. Research continues to explore novel biomaterials and regenerative medicine techniques to improve the effectiveness and availability of broskvävnadsersättning. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the size and location of the cartilage defect, the patient's age and activity level, and overall health.