Relating to or affected by disease or inflammation of the superficial cartilage, particularly on the surface of joints or bones.
From Greek epi- (upon) + chondros (cartilage) + -ic (adjective suffix). Forms the adjectival version of epichondrosis.
This word describes a specific location of cartilage damage—the very surface—which matters because surface cartilage tears heal differently than deep cartilage tears, so accurate naming helped doctors predict outcomes.
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