Why are cartilage cells unable to regenerate quickly , causing osteoarthritis ?
Example, if the cartilage tissue is worn-out, the rate of cell growth and repair will be so slow that a joint transplant is often needed.
Is there a reason for this?
Thanks
Cartilage doesn’t contain blood vessels so the cells within the cartilage lack direct blood supply. For that reason it takes longer for enough nutrients and other necessary chemicals to be transported to the cells within cartilage to allow them to repair the tissue. The lack of direct blood supply is also why cartilage is white.