Joint surface injury Discussion
Joint surfaces are covered with cartilage, which is soft and easily
injured. Injuries which involve the surface of a joint always result
in some degree of cartilage damage. Cartilage does not regenerate or heal
like other body tissues, and outcome is unpredictable. Ideally, the joint
surfaces should be restored to their original position and held there
strongly enough that movement may be started in the early postoperative
period. This is not always technically possible, and some cases cannot be
helped by the most skillful surgery. Some permanent loss of motion is to be
expected and the joint may develop degenerative arthritis as a result of
the injury.
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