Cartilage Explained : Why Healthy Joints Depend on More Than Bone
What are Joints?
The word joints come from the latin "iungere", which definition is to "join" or "connect". Which just so happens to be what a joint does...it connects two or more bones so movement can take place.
They provide the flexibility and stability needed for us to be able to walk, climb, stretch or work out.
But underneath the joints, there is cartilage, ligaments, tendons and synovial fluid, that support this intricate system.
Let's dive in and take a closer look at integral components to better understand how they work, what they are and how they can be supported.
What is Cartilage?
Cartilage - it is a strong but flexible type of connective tissue and may be found in one form or another in the nose, ears, ribs, and joints providing structure, flexibility or support. In this case for the joints, it is a type called articular cartilage, which covers the ends of the bone where they meet.
The smooth surface allows for the bones to move against each other without too much friction. Cartilage also helps to distribute the force placed on a joint with everyday movements so we can move with ease and grace.
Cartilage Function: More than Just Cushioning
In the most simplest terms, cartilage is described as the cushion between the bones. Yet is is more than that.
Think about a knee during a walk. Each step places force through the joint where the cartilage covers the ends of the bones and helps those surfaces glide together smoothly while managing the load.
This is why cartilage health is important for overall joint health - but it does not work alone.
For a joint to move efficiently, it needs more than just cartilage as a supporting structure.
Ligaments: Keeping Joints Stable
While cartilage helps create smooth movement between the bones, ligaments are the connective tissue that keep the bones connected.
These strong bands of connective tissue, help stabilise joints and guide movement, whilst helping to limit the movement beyond the joint's normal range. This is important whether you are walking across a room, reaching for something high on a shelf or changing direction.
The ligaments do not provide movement on their own, but do help provide the support that is needed for movement to happen in a controlled way and this leads us to the next important part of the structure.
Tendons: Connecting Muscles to Movement
While ligaments connect the bones, tendons connect the muscles.
Every time you walk, stand, climb stairs or lift an object, your muscles and tendons are working together to move your joints by transmitting the force to the bones every time the muscles contract.
Each of these connective tissues play an important role:
- Cartilage helps surfaces to move smoothly
- Ligaments help provide the stablility
- Tendons help transfer muscular force to create movement
But there is another important component that is crucial to it all working together for smooth, fluid movement: synovial fluid.
Synovial Fluid: Helping Joints to Move Smoothly
There are freely moving joints and joints with little or no movement. Synovial joints allow the greatest range of movement and include the hips, shoulders, knees and elbows.
It is inside these joints that you will find the synovial fluid, which is a thick, slippery fluid contained within the joint the helps keep movement smooth. This fluid allows reduced friction between the moving surfaces supporting smooth movement.
Additionally, synovial fluid also helps to nourish the cartilage within the joints which does not have its own blood supply.
How it All Works Together
Think of the joints as a team:
- Bones - structural framework
- Cartilage - cover ends of certain bones providing a smooth and resilient surface for movement
- Ligaments - are the bone connecters for stability
- Tendons - large bands that connect the muscles to the bones for the force needed to create movement
- Synovial fluid - helps to lubricate the joint for smooth movement support.
Each with a different complementary, yet overlapping role. Resulting in an intricate system that capable of carrying you through your daily movements to more demanding physical activity.
In the end, it's not just about the bones. It's also about the connective tissues and other structures working as a team for keeping the joints moving and functioning.
Supporting Joint Health at Every Stage
We will use our joints throughout our entire lives. The demands placed on our joints will vary over time, but movement will remain a very important part of our everyday lives.
A combination of everyday habits can help support the structures involved in movement.
Keep moving
Physical activity regularly keeps the body used to movement and helps to maintain mobility and function. Walking, dancing, swimming or cycling, can all form part of an active lifestyle.
Build and maintain strength
Muscles are important in movement and physicality. Strength based activities can help maintain muscular support around the joints.
Keep movement varied
Our joints go through different movements all day everyday. Combining varied forms of physical activity can provide variety rather than placing the same demands on the body repeatedly.
Increase activity gradually
Starting a new activity? Or going back to exercising? Going slow and steady will give your body time to adapt to the changing demands.
Give your body time to recover
As important as movement is for the body, so is recovery. Resting between demanding activities gives the body time to adjust to the physical stresses of exercise and physical activity.
Look after your overall health
Balanced diet. Regular physical activity. Healthy body weight. All are a part of a broader approach to supporting overall health and mobility.
Healthy Joints are About the Whole Picture
Though cartilage was at the heart of this, it is only one part of the joint. Understanding the joint anatomy reminds us healthy movement depends on more than strong bones. It's many structures working together, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons plus synovial fluid for healthy movement throughout the years.