What is corticated?

Corticated refers to a medical term used to describe a bone or joint surface surrounded by a smooth, hard layer of cartilage. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form joints, providing a cushioning effect and reducing friction between the bones during movement. Corticated bone is therefore a bone surface that has a healthy, well-developed layer of cartilage that protects and supports the joint. This term is commonly used in orthopedic medicine to describe the condition of joints or bones, particularly in cases of degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis. A lack of cortication can lead to issues such as bone-on-bone contact, pain, and restricted joint mobility.