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Is Injury To Throat A Treatable Condition?

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015

Question: Dear Dr,

If a person has injury to their throat and voice, is that the end? Or is it repairable naturally throughout turnover of the cartilage in these areas? Could you tell me the turnover rate for voice cartilage ?

Many thanks

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Prognosis of a patient with a laryngeal injury depends on several factors

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,
Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Prognosis of a patient with a laryngeal injury ( Throat & voice box ) depends on several factors, such as extent of injury, timing of repair, and the ability of the ENT surgeon to properly evaluate and treat the patient as early as possible.

Minor injuries usually causes no permanent airway and voice changes .

More significant trauma results in voice changes.

Early repair of injury gives best result .Early repair decreases the complications of airway obstruction, poor voice quality, wound contractures, and stenosis.

Hoarseness usually results from laryngeal nerve injury or cartilage subluxation. Normally around 6 months are required for voice to improve . Speech therapy will give best result . Hoarseness is not related to turnover of the cartilage .

So , Minor injuries & early repair of laryngeal trauma causes no permanent damage to voice of patients .

If I were your treating Doctor for this case , I would advice
Investigation like video laryngoscopy to evaluate extent of injury &
Speech therapy for early improvement of voice .

Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (7 hours later)

Dear Dr. Karade,

Thanks for your valued reply.

What about renewal rate/turnover rate of cartilage? For example, is the same laryngeal cartilage present now from time of our childhood, or has it been replaced by 'new' cartilage in its place?

Many thanks and best regards

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , same laryngeal cartilage present in adult that present in childhood

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,
Thanks for the follow up query.

Yes , same laryngeal cartilage present in adult that present since childhood only re-modelling of laryngeal frame work take place by cartilage producing cells at less than 10 % per year .

As age progress , calcification of laryngeal cartilage take place & it become harder .

During injury if tear occurs to perichondrium covering of cartilage from which cartilage derive nutrients then re-modelling harmpert .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (33 minutes later)

Hello,

So after ten years we should have a completely renewed larynx?

I hope you can advise, whats the degradation rate of collagen in laryngeal cartilage?

Lastly what's the chondrocyte lifespan?

Many thanks and best regards

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You will get re-modelled larynx than renewed larynx

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,

You will get re-modelled larynx than renewed larynx in more than 10 years.

The exact rate of degradation of collagen in laryngeal cartilage is difficult to known . But approximately commutative 30 years require for collagen to degrade after cartilage maturation.

Chondrocyte reproduce them-self . However, these cells are not immortal.
Chondrocyte lifespan is upto 3 years.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (21 minutes later)

Thanks Dr. Karade for your valued reply.

I had oxandrolone treatment when I was 14. My concern is it possibly caused growth in my laryngeal cartilage. And since we know cartilage is very slow turnover I feel sad. Because these steroid drugs has caused permanent effect. That's why I keep asking about renewal and degradation rates...

What is normal synthesis rate of collagen type 2?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Medical study regarding synthesis rate of collagen type 2 not available

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,

Oxandrolone treatment at the age of 14 can cause slight hoarseness of voice earlier than usual .

I would like to known , what laryngeal symptoms you are having now .

Normal synthesis and catabolism of collagen type 2 are regulated by chondrocytes. Medical study regarding synthesis rate & degradation rate of type 2 collagen is not available . Once synthesis it degrade slowly over 30 years .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (12 hours later)

i have no physical symptoms. i have physcological symptoms associated with this past steroid treatment.

Im unhappy because the treatment caused growth, and this growth doesnt renew or replace. Can you advise otherwise?

Many thanks Best Regards

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need for too much worry about it .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,

If no physical symptoms , then no need to worry about short course of steroid at the age of 14 years .

Oxandrolone treatment just cause early growth & maturation but actual growth you achieved was same .

No need for too much worry about it .

I would advice you please consult your psychologist for physcological symptoms you are having about past steroid treatment.

You will be fine .

Wish you good health

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (23 minutes later)

yes the oxandrolone maybe caused earlier growth and maturation. But is the material components such as collagen turned over? Some studies mention collagen also turns over every fe months - does this apply to larynx cartilage collagen also? please kindly can you advise?

Thanks and Best Regards

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Currently there is no study done on human laryngeal cartilage collagen turn

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX ,

Currently there is no study done on human laryngeal cartilage collagen turnover . During growth phase of human turnover is high .

Being Doctor , it is my duty to help you . After reading all your query , it seems to me you need psychologist help for excessive worrying & to rule out Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) .

So please kindly consult your psychologist , you will definitely get relief.

Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj