Cartilage Repair

Cartilage Repair

Cartilage is one of the most important parts of the body. It is a type of tissue that connects things together and also makes up the structure of certain parts of the body like the ears and nose. Cartilage also is essential to the joints, as it protects the ends of the bones and acts like a shock absorber. It is firm and strong, but it’s also flexible. Unfortunately, it can be torn or damaged. When this occurs, cartilage doesn’t always heal correctly. 

What is Cartilage Repair?

Cartilage repair is a surgical operation to mend torn or injured cartilage. Cartilage injuries are actually among the most common injuries, especially among young athletes. Often when ligaments and tendons are torn (like the ACL), cartilage is injured as well. The surgical intervention for repairing cartilage varies greatly from patient to patient, but in general there are some similarities. Cartilage injuries can be difficult to repair, and it takes a skilled and experienced surgeon to perform these procedures properly. However, it can be done and many patients experience relief and recovery after cartilage repair. 

Causes of Cartilage Repair

For most cartilage repair, the cause is injury. This could be from sports or other physical activities, but it can also happen during car accidents, falls, or when a patient sprains a joint. Another common cause of cartilage damage is arthritis, which comes from wear and tear to a joint. This means that the cartilage has been worn down over the years, and it no longer protects the bones as it should. This leads to the bones grinding together, causing pain and inflammation to the surrounding tissues, including cartilage. Another less common cause of cartilage damage is congenital issues from birth that lead to cartilage not developing properly. 

Treating Cartilage Damage

While cartilage repair is mostly done through surgery, there are some nonsurgical treatments available to help patients with cartilage damage. These cannot “cure” damaged cartilage, but they can help with other symptoms like pain and inflammation. The only way to fix damaged cartilage is through cartilage repair surgery.

Nonsurgical Approach

Most doctors will recommend these treatments before recommending surgery or more invasive procedures. 

  • Applying ice/heat to the injured area: This helps with pain, swelling, and inflammation. 
  • Over-the-counter pain medications: NSAIDs can help with pain and inflammation as well. 
  • Resting the injured area: Some patients can find relief if they can avoid moving the area. For example, if a football player injures their knee cartilage, taking a few weeks off from practice may relieve some of their symptoms as they allow it to rest and heal. This can also apply to bracing the area and not allowing movement through an assistive device. 
  • Steroid injections: Some steroid injections can help reduce pain and inflammation for several months at a time. This can be particularly helpful for joints with arthritis. 

Cartilage Repair Surgeries

Many cartilage repair procedures take time to heal. Most of the procedures available for repairing cartilage are not designed for healing osteoarthritis, but some can help. These are mainly focused on repairing damaged tissue rather than what is caused by wear and tear. Most cartilage repair surgeries fall into one of several categories. One procedure focuses on microfracture, which helps the damaged cartilage to grow back in a new form. Another type of procedure transplants healthy cartilage from another area of the body, or uses a donor transplant to repair the injured area. There is also a newer procedure where the doctors take a sample of a patient’s healthy cartilage and cultivate it in a lab to grow more, which is then used to heal the damaged area. These vary based on the person’s health and the overall condition of their cartilage. 

Cartilage Repair and You

If you feel like you may need cartilage repair, contact us at Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside for a consultation. We can help diagnose and examine the issue so that you can find the best possible course of treatment!