Johns Hopkins Health Alert
The Cartilage Connection
In this Health Alert, Associate Professor Lynne C. Jones, Ph.D. talks about the importance of cartilage in the development of osteoarthritis.
In my experience here at Johns Hopkins, most patients have little awareness of cartilage until something goes wrong with it. And even then, they often have a limited understanding of what cartilage is and does, what can be done to protect joints from further damage, and what treatment options are available to help reduce pain and restore mobility. In many ways, that’s perfectly understandable.
Compared with most other body tissues and organs, cartilage is "out of sight and out of mind." Like a shock absorber in a car, it doesn't announce its presence until it becomes damaged and affects your ability to navigate the highways of everyday life.
Cartilage is an essential component of healthy joints. You may have experienced the pain and loss of mobility that occur when cartilage is damaged, either by a traumatic injury or by diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are my answers to some the most common cartilage-related questions asked by patients.
Q. What is cartilage?
Dr. Jones: Cartilage is a translucent, connective soft tissue that's found in many areas of the body, including the joints, rib cage, spine, ear, nose, voice box, and bronchial tubes. This semitransparent substance is called hyaline cartilage, a name that derives from the Greek word hyalos, which means glass.
In normal joints, hyaline cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers and protects the ends of bones. Its primary components are water and two types of proteins—type II collagen and proteoglycans -- that together form a gel-like matrix that allows it to change shape when compressed. Cartilage also contains specialized cells called chondrocytes, which produce collagen, proteoglycans, and enzymes that help maintain healthy cartilage.
Q. Is aging inevitably associated with cartilage degeneration?
Dr. Jones: There are age-related cartilage changes. And yes, it seems that osteoarthritis is an age-related disease. That said, it still doesn’t mean that the changes due to aging are necessarily the changes that automatically lead to osteoarthritis. After age 60, a majority of men and women show some evidence of joint-space narrowing on X-rays (a sign of cartilage loss), but most of them have no osteoarthritis symptoms. Their cartilage is still fully functional.
Posted in Arthritis on July 14, 2008
Reviewed September 2011
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In answer to your question on long-term effects, it does not appear to have been studied.
The NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) was only for 6 months, with some being followed up for an additional 18, so they should learn more at the end of that period of time.
GAIT was the first large-scale, multicenter clinical trial in the United States to test the effects of the dietary supplements glucosamine hydrochloride (glucosamine) and sodium chondroitin sulfate (chondroitin sulfate) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
The study tested whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate used separately or in combination reduced pain in participants with knee osteoarthritis.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), two components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), funded GAIT.
You can read the summary of their findings here: Gait Study Results
Posted by: Jo | July 18, 2008 1:25 PM
Can taking collagen and hyaluronic aid orally get through to your joints and help them?
Posted by: MargieLK | July 19, 2008 10:00 PM
Make that hyaluronic acid---not hyaluronid aid.
Posted by: MargieLK | July 19, 2008 10:01 PM
What is the name of the product that Ruth Beatty used with such great results?
Posted by: Sherry Trievel | July 19, 2008 10:57 PM
Please folks--there are people employed by companies that make or sell specific products who troll these websites so they can post alleged "testimonials" about the miraculous cures from their product. Following the advice of alleged patients posting on the internet is like believing used-car salesmen when they tell you what a gem the car they want to sell you is.
I am always especially suspicious of extravagant claims such as made by the person who posted as "Ruth Beatty" above. If anything was that "magical", some medical doctors would have heard about it from their patients and would be recommending it.
As much as we all (yes, I have osteoarthritis also) would like to find a miracle drug (especially if it wasn't a drug at all but a supplement), these are more likely to be found in product advertising than in reality.
Posted by: SeEttaMoss | July 20, 2008 4:24 AM
I am the only one in my family that is free of pain from arthritis.
I am the only one in my family that takes 6 mg. of Boron every day.
I am the only one in my family that understands the role Boron plays in the body's maintenance of tissue required for joint health.
I am the only one in my family who spends no hard-earned money on doctors to treat arthritic symptoms.
I am the only one in my family who spends no hard-earned money on drugs (prescription or OTC) to treat arthritic symptoms.
Barry
Posted by: Barry1303 | July 21, 2008 7:50 AM
By the way. My comments above are verifiable facts. They are the truth. I have nothing to sell or promote & Boron is available many, many places and is very cheap. No extravagant claims or product pumping here. Just doing my civic duty, passing along what has worked remarkably for me.
I might add, though, that I do have some knee pain that I don't believe is associated with arthritis. It is not a big deal and I believe it has been caused by years of neglected obesity. I am dealing with that problem now, having lost 45 lbs with another 45 to go to reach my goal of 175 lbs. It will be interesting to see what happens when I reach my goal weight which I hope will be by the end of this year. I know that I will continue to take boron regardless, but may decrease to 3 mg. per day if all pain is abated. If I am wrong and I do develop Osteo or Rheumetoid at a later date I will unhappily share that information as well. Until then I will continue to believe that Boron is the diminished element in our diet that works with the other elements to produce healthy cartlidge tissue maintenance and possibly other beneficial effects. It is a known fact that areas of the world where Boron is at normal levels in drinking water and vegetables arthritis is virtually unknown.
Barry
Posted by: Barry1303 | July 21, 2008 8:27 AM
My x-rays show bilateral arthritis of my thumbs with no cartilage visible. Are there non-surgical alternatives to replace the cartilage?
Posted by: estrin | August 27, 2008 10:53 AM
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Your arthritis information re collagen and cartilage is very exciting. I have arthritis, and lumbar stenosis, and was quite disabled eighteen months ago. I found a preparation on the 'net that included the glucosamine group as well as two kinds of collagen and hyaluronic acid. After a few weeks I was improving and now have no pain, and have my life back. Now you are confirming the connection between hyaluronic acid and collagen to restore cartilage. Fantastic. Glad I turned down the surgery offered!!
I want to shout this from the rooftops!!! It works!!! A secondary benefit is the smoothing of wrinkles and the firm butt, as collagen is restored all over my body. I am 82, and look 60. Do you know of any downside to this magical discovery???????? Can I go on taking this indefinitely?
Posted by: Ruth Beatty | July 14, 2008 4:47 PM