I played in my son’s annual Dads and Lads Rugby challenge recently and came to the quick conclusion they had something that we were running short of. And the one thing I wish I could just grab a box of from my Orthopedic each time I visit.

Cartilage.

Ah, cartilage. The one thing that kids take for granted and parents would love to have back. It’s like the lost city of gold, always just out of reach. But unlike the lost city, there’s actually something we can do about it. Or, well, there are things we can do to try and get it back. It’s like trying to catch the wind in a bottle, but, a little hope is better than no hope isn’t it?

Slightly better.

First, there are the natural remedies. You know, like turmeric, the wonder spice that can cure all ills. Or so they say. It’s supposed to reduce inflammation and promote joint health, but let’s be real, it probably won’t do much for the cartilage that’s already gone. But it’s worth a shot, right?

Then there’s the shark fin soup. It’s like a magic elixir for joint health, supposedly packed with cartilage-boosting goodness. Of course, you’ll have to catch a shark first, and there’s the small issue of the environmental impact, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.

But if you’re not down with the natural remedies, there’s always replacement therapy. It’s like a cartilage transplant, but for your joints. The procedure involves injecting synthetic cartilage into your joints, or even transplanting it from a cadaver. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s better than nothing.

But let’s be real, we wouldn’t trade our experiences and wisdom for a little extra cartilage. After all, without those aches and pains, we wouldn’t know the true meaning of a good night’s sleep. We wouldn’t appreciate the simple things in life, like sitting down without groaning. And we certainly wouldn’t know the joy of complaining about our bodies to anyone who will listen.

But I’m not much of a complainer.

So then, of course, there’s the ultimate solution. The one thing that will guarantee you a lifetime of bouncy, spongy cartilage. That’s right, have kids. After all, that’s the reason we’re here, to pass on our DNA and ensure that our genes live on, with fresh, new cartilage. It’s like a joint health insurance policy.