Cartilage, Tendons, and Ligaments: Development and Regeneration Potential

Fibrous connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments attach muscles to bones and bones to bones, respectively. This implies a gradual variation in composition, structure, and mechanical strength that ensures dissipation of stress and load on a joint. Injuries to tendons and ligaments are fairly common in sports or coupled with other orthopedic injuries, but restoration to original condition is almost never achieved and reinjuries are expected even after healing. It has been observed that natural healing after injuries to joints occurs through formation of fibrovascular scar tissue and not by regeneration of the original graded tissues, making the site susceptible to reinjury. Cartilage, on the other hand, is a firm and tough connective tissue that acts as a cushion between bones. Injury or gradual ...