Scientists from Osaka University in Japan have developed a new surgical method that uses fibrin clots derived from bone marrow to help repair articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage is a tough and flexible tissue found in joints such as the wrist and knees, and helps absorb shock during movement, and sometimes the articular cartilage may be subjected to tears due to improper movement or as a result of weakness associated with aging.

At young ages, abundant blood flow to this area aids rapid healing, but with age, the articular cartilage receives less blood, so that the inner area becomes mostly nonvascular.