Cartilage Restoration

What causes cartilage damage?

Cartilage is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form your joint. The cartilage is responsible for absorbing shocks and allowing bones to easily glide over each other without friction.

Cartilage can be damaged over time as it breaks down due to age and natural wear and tear. You can also suffer damage to your cartilage from overuse injuries or because of degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

Many times, if you have tears in the ligaments or tendons, you’re likely to also have cartilage damage. Cartilage can’t be seen on imaging tests like X-rays, but your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine physician can determine if you have damage based on your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of cartilage damage?

A hallmark symptom of cartilage damage is persistent joint pain that worsens when you put pressure on the joint.

Other common symptoms of cartilage damage include:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Joint locking

You can also experience a grinding sensation in your joints when you move.

Why should I consider cartilage restoration?

When cartilage is damaged, it can’t reduce friction like it should, causing pain when bones move against each other. This is primarily because the surface tissue, known as hyaline cartilage, which makes the joint surface smooth.

The goal of cartilage restoration surgery is to stimulate the growth of new cartilage to ease chronic joint pain and increase your joint functionality.

Cartilage restoration can be most effective in repairing knee injuries but can also benefit cartilage damage in the shoulder and ankle. Your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine doctor can evaluate your condition and determine if surgery is the best treatment for your long-term joint health.

What can I expect during cartilage restoration surgery?

In many cases, the surgeons at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine perform cartilage restoration using arthroscopy. You only need three small incisions surrounding the joint. Your surgeon inserts a slender surgical instrument through these incisions to restore the cartilage and make necessary repairs.

Arthroscopy ensures you heal faster than traditional surgery and are at less risk of infections and other surgical complications.

Your Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine surgeon can discuss during your consultation other surgical options used to restore damaged cartilage.

Find out more about the benefits of cartilage restoration today by calling the office nearest you or booking an appointment online.