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Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Articular Cartilage Structure Repair

Cartilage Biology

A 28-year-old athlete presents with knee pain and mechanical symptoms after an ACL injury 6 months ago. MRI shows an 18mm full-thickness cartilage defect on the medial femoral condyle. Arthroscopy confirms a contained chondral defect with healthy surrounding cartilage. The surgeon discusses the unique properties of articular cartilage and potential repair options including microfracture, OATS, and ACI. Regarding articular cartilage:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Hyaline articular cartilage is composed of water (65-80%), type II collagen (10-20%), proteoglycans ...

B

Cartilage has four zones: superficial/tangential (thin collagen fibers parallel to surface, highest ...

C

Articular cartilage is primarily type I collagen; chondrocytes comprise 50% of the tissue; cartilage...

D

Cartilage has limited healing capacity: partial thickness defects (within cartilage) do not heal bec...

E

Repair strategies include marrow stimulation (microfracture - forms fibrocartilage), osteochondral a...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option