The beneficial effects of olive oil have been widely studied and could be due to its phytochemicals, which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Lubricin is a chondroprotective glycoprotein and it serves as a critical boundary lubricant between opposing cartilage surfaces.
Research shows that Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), coupled with adequate physical activities, could contribute to the defense against cartilage degeneration by stimulating the production of lubricin, a protein that serves as a critical boundary between opposing cartilage surfaces.
Those are oils like coconut, almond, olive, avocado, or jojoba. That'll help protect your skin and make it easier to absorb. Rub into your skin, wherever you feel joint pain.
Choose low-impact exercises to protect the cartilage in your knees. Cardiovascular activities like cycling (on a properly fitted bike) and swimming can help keep knee cartilage healthy and prevent future damage. See a medical provider right away if you have a swollen knee. It can indicate damaged cartilage.
Consuming healthy fats can increase joint health and lubrication. Foods high in healthy fats include salmon, trout, mackerel, avocados, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds. The omega-3 fatty acids in these foods will assist in joint lubrication.
Stretch as often as possible. A simple stretch can help prevent stiffness in your joints and lubricate and nourish the cartilage with synovial fluid. Stretch exercises like yoga and pilates can help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis and also strengthen your muscles to prevent further joint injury.
Initial treatment and self care
Rest – rest the affected joint as much as possible during the first 2 or 3 days (crutches may help if you've injured your knee or ankle), then try gradually returning to light activity over the next few days and weeks.
Cartilage Regeneration Options
MACI is a surgical procedure that uses cartilage-forming cells from your body to restore damaged cartilage in the knees. It involves a biopsy to harvest chondrocytes (cartilage-forming cells), which are allowed to multiply in a lab, and surgery to implant them into the damaged area.
Bio-Oil is also a great way to massage arthritic joints. It works well for xerotic skin [abnormally dry], especially of the lower legs where circulatory changes often affect the texture."
Fish oil can be helpful in reducing the impact of enzymes and chemicals that destroy cartilage. In one study scientists injected EPA into joints with osteoarthritis (OA) and found that it prevented further progression of OA.
Olive oil is rich in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and rubbing it into sore joints may be more effective than a medicated cream.
Dietary supplements: Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are the non-surgical treatment options for cartilage restoration. Chrondroitin sulphate and glucosamine are naturally occurring substances in the body that prevent degradation of cartilage and promote formation of new cartilage.
Vitamin D has been associated with cartilage regeneration in OA, but the exact mechanism is not well defined. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of patients developing OA in some studies, but the results of other studies have been inconsistent.
Glucosamine is one of the substances in your body that is used to build cartilage.
No matter the cause, cartilage damage is challenging, because cartilage doesn't have its own blood supply. Therefore, it can't heal itself. Once cartilage is damaged, without treatment the damage stays the same or gets larger over time.
NYU Langone doctors often recommend nonsurgical options as a first-line treatment for a knee cartilage injury. These include anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and injections into the joint, including steroids; hyaluronic acid, also known as synthetic joint fluid; and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
As you recover from surgery, the cartilage cells regenerate, forming new tissue to replace worn-out cartilage. “Healthy cartilage helps cushion the bones in your knee and give you better movement, but when it erodes, it causes pain which can be severe,” Wang says.
“Cartilage has practically zero regenerative potential in adulthood, so once it's injured or gone, what we can do for patients has been very limited,” said assistant professor of surgery Charles K.F. Chan, PhD.
The main causes of cartilage damage are wear and tear (simply put, just getting older), repetitive actions (particularly twisting, jumping and deep knee bends) or a traumatic injury (such as forceful wrenching or a direct impact).
Turmeric
Granted, turmeric is a spice rather than a food. However, it is still a cartilage repairing ingredient worth introducing to your diet. Why? Turmeric contains the strong anti-inflammatory, curcumin, that has been scientifically proven to be effective at preventing joint inflammation.
Can you get glucosamine naturally from foods? Although glucosamine sulfate supplements are often manufactured from the shells of shellfish, there aren't any natural food sources of glucosamine.
WD-40 Does Not Help Arthritis
Due to the myth that WD-40 helps arthritis, the WD-40 company website includes the following statement regarding the myth (amongst other cool myths, legends and facts)… Fact: This popular headline, appearing at least once a year in the tabloids, is completely FALSE.
The crunching you hear likely is due to the cartilage in your knee becoming rough, so the bones cannot slide as easily in the joint as they normally do. Knee crepitus typically happens when the knee is bent, such as when you are squatting, going up or down stairs, or rising from a chair.