Other possible treatments may include pain medications and supplements to ease stiffness and prevent further loss. Although it is not possible to rebuild cartilage, some joints that are constantly painful may be replaced through surgery.Not all joints are eligible for this procedure, and the most common are the hips and knees. In most cases, an artificial joint is implanted into the body to replace the defective one.ther possible treatments may include pain medications and supplements to ease stiffness and prevent further loss. Although it is not possible to rebuild cartilage, some joints that are constantly painful may be replaced through surgery.