Cartilage Restoration

Healthy cartilage is a smooth, white tissue found on the surface of bones inside a joint, and it allows the joint to move easily. Cartilage can become damaged by normal wear and tear or after an injury. You may notice catching or locking in your joint if the cartilage becomes damaged or deteriorated, causing pain and immobility with movement. While a cartilage injury may seem like a minor thing, if left untreated, a major procedure may be needed later in life to treat arthritis and restore function.

What is Cartilage Restoration?

Cartilage restoration is an early treatment that can delay or prevent the need for joint replacement surgery in certain patients. A surgical technique is used to stimulate growth of new, healthy cartilage tissue by creating a new blood supply inside the joint. Typical candidates for cartilage restoration are too young a joint replacement, yet have symptoms of joint pain and cartilage damage in their knee, shoulder, or ankle, and they want to resume an active lifestyle.

Cartilage restoration can be an effective treatment for:

• Knee Pain
• Meniscus or Ligament Tears
• Osteoarthritis
• Shoulder Pain
• Ankle pain
• And more

At Upstate Orthopedics, you can talk to an expert about repairing damaged cartilage without a major surgery. After listening to your concerns and evaluating your pain, the doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for cartilage restoration. Diagnosing cartilage damage requires experience and skill, which the surgeons at Upstate Orthopedics have.

Cartilage Restoration Procedures

Cartilage surgery is done arthroscopically on all major joints – shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, foot, and ankle – with the knee, shoulder, and ankle being the most common. Arthroscopic procedures are minimally invasive, which means the surgery is quicker and less painful and requires less downtime than traditional surgery.

Common procedures used to stimulate new growth of cartilage include microfracture, drilling, and abrasion arthroplasty. More severe cartilage injuries may require an implant or transplant of healthy cartilage tissue.

If there are other problems inside the joint, like a torn meniscus, ligament, or tendon, the surgeon can simultaneously repair the damage and stimulate cartilage regeneration.

Call Upstate Orthopedics in Syracuse, New York today for more information on this innovative procedure! Dial (315) 464-4472 to speak with an expert today.