Regenerative medicine for the joints

Each joint must have a certain range of motion, the stability and mobility. The joints sustain the great force caused by musculoskeletal motion. Once the articular cartilage is damaged, regeneration of the complete articular cartilage does not occur. Numerous treatments to repair full-thickness defects in articular cartilage have been undertaken, however, osteochondral defects present practical problems. According to the progress of regenerative medicine, effective treatments have been developed. This review examines the current techniques used in managing osteochondral defect.