The challenges of cartilage repair and the potential of stem cell applications.

Articular cartilage injuries pose a treatment challenge. These injuries are a direct cause of pain and loss of function and may precipitate osteoarthritis in the affected joint. Typically affecting a younger, more active population whose expectations of treatment and need for long term joint preservation are high. Articular cartilage poses a treatment challenge in that its capacity for satisfactory healing is limited. The common endpoint of conservative management and traditional surgical interventions is the generation of biomechanically inferior fibrocartilage. Regenerative techniques using human stem cells would appear to represent an exciting modality for the production of true hyaline cartilage with material and biological properties suited for lasting function. This review article summarises the current research regarding the use of human stem cells in the treatment of such injuries.