WHAT IS CARTILAGE PRESERVATION?

A newer way of approaching cartilage defects or injuries aims to repair a patient’s cartilage when possible. If not possible, the goal is to preserve the joint’s normal physiology by replacing the injured cartilage area with normal or near-normal articular cartilage.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF CARTILAGE PRESERVATION PROCEDURES?

To repair damaged cartilage areas of an affected joint to restore normal biomechanics and potentially decrease the risk of developing arthritis in the future.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR CARTILAGE PRESERVATION PROCEDURES?

Young, active individuals with symptomatic cartilage injuries have been limited by their injuries and desire to return to their prior activity levels/sport.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED JOINTS?

Affected joints can involve any joint; however, the most commonly affected and treated joints are the knee, ankle, and hip.

WHAT COMMON PROCEDURES PERFORMED?

• Osteochondral allograft transplantation of the knee and ankle
• Osteochondral Autograft transplantation (OATs) of the knee and ankle
• Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI)
• Marrow Stimulating procedures (Microfracture)
• Cell-based treatment for cartilage injuries (DeNovo, Carticel, BioCartilage, etc)
• Meniscal repair
• Meniscal transplant
• Osteotomies of the tibia and distal femur
• Patella stabilizing procedures (Tibial tubercle osteotomy, Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction)
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)