ABSTRACT
Articular cartilage is a hypocellular, avascular tissue composed of a dense collagen and proteoglycan matrix. The complex structure of articular cartilage enables this tissue to perform its biomechanical role providing low friction and highly wear-resistant surface to both shear and compressive stress. The effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) stimulation have also been assessed in chondroregenerative clinical settings, including patients suffering from cartilage injuries treated with microfractures, with autologous chondrocyte implant, and with scaffold seeded with bone-marrow-derived cells. It is commonly accepted that articular cartilage is a tissue with little or no regenerative potential and thus undergoes degradation over time. A systematic review of the literature on the influence of PEMFs on cartilage concluded that PEMFs have a beneficial effect on chondrocyte proliferation, electrochemical information transfer synthesis, and chondrogenic differentiation. Further development of the clinical use of physical agents involves facing numerous and complex issues.
