Cartilage Repair

OVERVIEW

CARTILAGE RESTORATION

Over time your joint’s cartilage or—natural “shock absorbers”—wear down and become vulnerable to tears and chipping. This is typically the cause of cartilage damage in adults over the age of 30. However, younger athletes are not clear from the risks of cartilage damage—one of the most common causes of damage is from acute sports injury or overuse. Without healthy cartilage, your joints simply cannot function smoothly or effectively.

Your Cartilage is: The smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints.

THE FACTS ON CARTILAGE RESTORATION:

The most common cause of cartilage damage is normal wear and tear over time.
Cartilage does not heal well on its own, making it difficult to treat damage.
Damaged cartilage can lead to arthritis.

SYMPTOMS:

In many cases, patients who have joint injuries, such as meniscal or ligament tears, will also have cartilage damage. Damage to cartilage, meniscus, and ligaments are all best diagnosed with an MRI.

The following symptoms are commonly reported by patients seeking cartilage treatment:

Knee pain–this may continue even when resting, and worsen when bearing weight
Swelling of the knee
Stiffness
A clicking or grinding feeling
Locking or instability of the knee joint