Conditions Treated with Cartilage Restoration

Conditions Treated with Cartilage Restoration

Cartilage restoration is ideal for patients with:

• Focal Cartilage Defects: Localized damage caused by trauma or overuse.
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A condition where a piece of cartilage and underlying bone becomes loose due to poor blood supply.
• Post-Traumatic Cartilage Damage: Resulting from sports injuries or accidents.
• Early-Stage Arthritis: To preserve joint function and delay the progression of degenerative changes.

Cartilage Restoration Techniques

At Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, we offer a variety of cartilage restoration and transplantation procedures tailored to your specific condition:

Non-Surgical Options

• Viscosupplementation: Injections to lubricate the joint and reduce pain.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Using your body’s growth factors to promote healing.
• Stem Cell Therapy: Regenerative treatments to stimulate cartilage repair.

Surgical Options

• Microfracture: Creating small holes in the bone beneath the damaged cartilage to encourage new cartilage growth.
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI): Harvesting and growing your cartilage cells in a lab before reimplanting them into the damaged area.
• Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS): Transferring healthy cartilage from another area of your joint to the damaged site.
• Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation: Using donor cartilage and bone to repair larger areas of damage.

Benefits of Cartilage Restoration

Cartilage restoration provides numerous benefits, including:

• Relief from pain and swelling.
• Preservation of natural joint anatomy.
• Improved mobility and joint function.
• Delaying or preventing the need for joint replacement surgery.
• Enhanced ability to return to sports and other physical activities.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery from cartilage restoration varies based on the procedure and the extent of the damage. A typical recovery process includes:

• Post-Surgical Protection: Using crutches or braces to protect the repaired cartilage.
• Physical Therapy: Starting early to restore strength, flexibility, and joint function.
• Gradual Return to Activity: Most patients can resume light activities within a few months, with full recovery taking up to a year for some procedures.