What does “bone on bone” mean?

A healthy joint has a smooth layer of cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. In osteoarthritis, that cartilage gradually wears down. Doctors describe the process in stages — from mild, to moderate, to severe. When it reaches the most advanced stage and the cartilage is essentially gone, the bones can contact each other directly. That's what people mean by “bone on bone.”

Here's the honest part: true bone-on-bone arthritis is usually past what non-surgical, regenerative care can help, because that approach needs some remaining cartilage to work with. For genuinely end-stage joints, a replacement is often the right answer — and we'll tell you that plainly, at no charge.

But two things are worth knowing. First, not everyone who's told they're “bone on bone” actually is— arthritis has stages, and many people are earlier than they've been led to believe. Second, the time to explore non-surgical options is before you get there. Moderate arthritis, where cartilage remains, is exactly where regenerative care can be worth considering.