Joint cartilage is a specialized tissue with a smooth surface that covers joint surfaces. Because cartilage lacks blood vessels and nerves, its capacity for self-renewal is extremely limited. Cartilage damaged by trauma, overuse, or metabolic diseases can progressively lead to osteoarthritis if left untreated.

Several different methods are used in the treatment of cartilage damage. The microfracture technique is based on drilling small holes in the subchondral bone to induce bleeding and stimulate fibrocartilage formation in the area. This method can be effective for small lesions, but the resulting tissue is not as durable as normal hyaline cartilage.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI/MACI) is a more advanced technique based on multiplying the patient's own cartilage cells in a laboratory and placing them in the damaged area. This method is preferred especially for large cartilage defects and promotes hyaline-like cartilage formation. Osteochondral grafting (mosaicplasty) involves transplanting cartilage-bone cylinders from a healthy area to the damaged site.

Biological treatments play an increasingly important role in cartilage damage treatment. PRP and stem cell applications can show anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects, especially in early-stage cartilage damage. However, surgical treatment is generally unavoidable for advanced-stage and extensive cartilage loss. The treatment approach is determined by multiple factors including the patient's age, activity level, and the size and location of the lesion.