Sport-specific Differences in Cartilage Treatment

Background: Cartilage injuries are increasingly common among athletes and significantly impact their performance and quality of life. These injuries can result from acute trauma or chronic overuse, leading to pain, swelling, and joint dysfunction. The unique properties of articular cartilage, including its avascular nature and limited intrinsic healing capacity, complicate treatment options. Understanding how specific sport-related factors influence the treatment and outcomes of cartilage injuries is essential, given the varying needs of different sports. This study reviews the existing evidence regarding the treatment of cartilage injuries in athletes and focuses on how different sports affect injury patterns and recovery strategies. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature related to cartilage injuries in athletes across various sports from ۲۰۰۹ to ۲۰۲۴, analyzing reports on the incidence, treatment methods, and outcomes of cartilage injuries in specific athletic populations. Key factors considered included the type of sport, mechanism of injury, lesion characteristics, and athlete demographics. The review also examined surgical techniques such as microfracture, osteochondral autograft transplantation (OATS), and autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), assessing their effectiveness based on specific athletic needs. Results: The analysis revealed distinctive patterns in cartilage injuries based on the type of sport. High-impact sports like football and basketball were associated with a higher incidence of acute cartilage lesions, whereas sports like running and swimming showed fewer detrimental effects on cartilage health. Treatment outcomes varied significantly; for instance, athletes participating in high-impact sports demonstrated better recovery rates with ACI compared to those engaged in low-impact activities, where simpler techniques like microfracture were often sufficient. The review also found that smaller defects (less than ۲ square centimeters) generally yielded favorable results with less invasive methods, while larger defects necessitated more complex interventions for optimal recovery. Additionally, adherence to rehabilitation protocols emerged as an important influencing factor on the return-to-play rate across all sports. Conclusion: Sport-specific differences significantly impact the management and outcomes of cartilage injuries in athletes. Understanding these variations is crucial for tailoring treatment strategies that align with the unique demands of each sport. While several surgical techniques address cartilage lesions, their effectiveness may vary based on injury characteristics and athlete-specific factors. Future research should focus on developing targeted rehabilitation protocols and exploring innovative treatments that can enhance recovery while accommodating the high mechanical demands that athletes face.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cartilage injury ، Articular cartilage ، Sports medicine ، Microfracture ، Osteochondral autograft transplantation (OATS) ، Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI)