Can cartilage be altered by pressure?

Question

Hi, I know cartilage has a good memory and will spring back to its original shape no matter what , but lately I've been wondering something , pure supposition, can cartilage be altered or displaced after a long time pressure applied on it? For example if you let a peg on your nose (let's say you don't need to breathe) for like 3 months in a row, would the cartilage change its memory in favour of the peg shape? Thank's for answering

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

While we have been employing this concept in newborns to improve the contour of their ears, Once one is older than a few weeks, it does not work anymore because the cartilage gets firmer.

Sean Freeman, MD · Answer

THEE12, constant pressure will change the shape of almost anything over time; it is actually one of Einsteins Laws (a bit of a paraphrase). It is impractable in general for aesthetic purposes.

Michael L. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Very good observation and intuition. This principle is true in infants before the "memory" is set. It is possible to treat newborns with protuberant ears by taping and splinting for a period of months and the ears will retain the new shape without any surgery.Unfortunately by the time of early childhood the strength of the covering membrane or perichondrium is such that it will not retain a new form just by repositioning without some form of surgical fixation or manipulation.

Can cartilage be altered by pressure?

Answers (3)

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