Cartilage

Many people wonder about what does cartilage disease mean? Cartilage is defined as a type of connective tissue that is hard, thick, and flexible at the same time, but have you ever wondered where the cartilage is located in the human body? The answer to this lies in the fact that it is found in many different areas of the individual’s body, and an example of some of them:

It is located between the vertebrae of the spine.
Bronchial tubes or airways.
the ends of the ribs.
ears.
the nose.

How do I know that I have cartilage?

One can infer that he has a herniated disc as a result of his feeling of severe pain that increases in intensity with time, and this is a result of the slipping of the flexible discs that absorb shocks between the vertebrae from their place or their exposure to rupture, and when any defect occurs in them, this causes pressure on the nerves surrounding the area, which causes the individual a lot of pain, and some things indicate that the individual has an inflammation of the cartilage:

A deformity in the shape of the nose.
Feeling pain and redness in the ear.
Eye pain accompanied by redness and swelling.
Swelling in some areas such as the joints of the hands, fingers, shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, toes, and pelvis.
The presence of pain in the ribs.
Pain in both the throat and neck.
Difficulty breathing or speaking.
Inability to swallow.
Skin rash.

Cartilage symptoms

There are many symptoms that appear on the individual, through which it can be inferred that he has cartilage, for example:

Feeling of pain: This is one of the most prominent and obvious symptoms for individuals, as they experience a feeling of pain that gets worse over time.
Tingling and numbness: the slipped cartilage puts pressure on some nerve roots, and this causes an imbalance in the function of the nerve, which is represented in transmitting signals to the extremities, causing the individual to feel numbness in the hands, feet, and head.
Muscle weakness: exposure of the cartilage to slip may result in a defect in the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles, causing general muscle weakness and slow reactions.
Difficulty standing or sitting: The pain associated with a herniated disc may be so severe that it increases when trying to stand or remain seated for long periods of time.
The coolness of the body: When the cartilage is pressing on certain nerves, this causes a slow feeling to develop in the body, and it is described as burning or numbness in one side of the body only and not the other.
Pain when laughing: Even laughing can be very bad for people with a herniated disc, as it puts pressure on the back and the affected area.
Pain when sneezing or coughing: Sneezing or coughing may cause pressure on the abdominal area, extending to the back and the site of the injury, causing the individual to feel pain.

How does cartilage come from?

Many reasons lead to an individual suffering from a herniated disc, and some of them are the result of wrong behavior by individuals, for example:

Carrying some heavy things incorrectly.
Severe weakness in the muscles of the neck or back, whether due to genetic factors or acquired over time.
getting old.
Excessive weight gain.

Does cartilage grow after it is removed?

When performing a cartilage removal operation, no new cartilage can grow in its place again, and the bones, in that case, become unprotected and subject to friction with other bones in the joint, and another cartilage may slip into its place in the empty area, and for this reason, doctors recommend implanting artificial joints to prevent friction and thus reduce the severity of pain.

Back cartilage symptoms

The presence of severe pain in the lower back.
Stiffness in the legs or stiffness in the lower back.
A sensation of some pain when the lower back is pressed.
Feeling pain in the groin area.
Inability to walk or stay standing for long periods.
In the case of bending, this is accompanied by very severe pain.
Having a feeling of numbness and tingling in the legs.
The appearance of pain in the neck area and the inability to move the head well.

Treatment of cartilage inflammation in the back

In some serious cases and severe injuries, the individual may need surgery to repair the damaged heart valve or insertion of a breathing tube, there is no specific treatment for cartilage, but some medications are used to reduce pain and protect cartilage, for example:

Anti-inflammatories: This is very effective in reducing pain in people with mild symptoms of this disease.
Steroids: for example, Prednisone and many other types that are effective in treating infections.
Other medications: Some medications that slow down the immune system may be used.

Does hot water treat a herniated disc?

Hot water has a great role in treating a herniated disc, because the heat has a great positive effect, as this helps blood flow to the affected area well, which contributes to its healing process, in addition to that cold water also works to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, which contributes to reducing pain significantly.

How long does recovery from a herniated disc take?

After complete recovery from the herniated disc, the individual may be able to return to his activities normally as before, and the duration of treatment after which the individual can fully recover may take about 6 weeks, provided that during that period he adheres to the doctor’s instructions well, and the treatment period may include taking some painkillers, cortisone injections, and other therapeutic methods.

Does cartilage repair itself?

During some studies, it was concluded that cartilage can restore itself on its own, as is known about axolotl and zebrafish, provided that the individual follows the instructions of the doctor who advises him well during that period.

Does the cartilage return to its place?

The doctor determines the appropriate treatment for the individual according to the extent of the development of the condition and the symptoms that he feels, and in many cases, the cartilage may be able to return to its normal place if the patient follows the doctor’s instructions well in terms of receiving medications on time and attending physical therapy exercises.

What are the types of cartilage?

Cartilages have many different characteristics that are well compatible with the region in which they are located in the human body, as cartilages are divided into three types, including:

Hyaline cartilage

The hyaline cartilage is defined as strong, flexible, and capable of contracting and flattening. It is found between the ribs and trachea and inside the joints, and the cartilage that covers the ends of the long bones at their meeting with each other in the joints is known as articular cartilage, and it is a type of hyaline cartilage.

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This is in the form of cushions that prevent the bones from rubbing against each other, and this reduces the percentage of bone damage, and the articular cartilage consists of four areas, and they are:

Surface area.
Central Region.
The deep region.
The calcified region.

Fibrocartilage

This cartilage is considered one of the strongest types of cartilage ever, as it can bear heavy weights in addition to that it works to reduce friction between the long bones in the joint, and it is found in many areas of the individual’s body, including:

The knee joint is between the articular cartilage and is known as the meniscus.
between the hip and pelvic bones.
Spinal discs and vertebrae.

Elastic cartilage

It is characterized as one of the softest cartilage ever, and this is because it contains a high percentage of yellow elastin fibers, which is why it is also called yellow cartilage. Elastic cartilage is the main component of the ear pinna and some parts of the nose, throat, and epiglottis.

Can cartilage be cured?

Many people believe that cartilage infections are a chronic disease that cannot be cured, but this belief is wrong as it is possible to recover from a herniated disc, but this is gradual and over several weeks, as the treatment journey is very difficult, and painful for individuals and may hinder their ability to persevere in their lives normally, and the duration of treatment varies from one person to another, as it may extend from weeks to up to 4 months in some cases.