Early Intervention
Orthopedic surgeons at the JPC explain the full range of options at their disposal to help patients maintain – or regain – the active lifestyles we all value.
The Joint Preservation Center exhibits several procedures that restore or repair damaged articular cartilage and preserves function, starting with methods for repairing early localized damage – called focal chondral defects. These methods include:
Arthroscopic Debridement and
Microfracture
Aided by a small camera,
surgeons can locate damaged tissue and trim away areas of torn cartilage. Surgeons can also use this method to carefully create small holes in the uncovered bone – called microfractures – which heal to form a type of cartilage covering that resembles normal articular cartilage.
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Osteochondral Autograft
This technique, analogous to a hair-plug transfer, allows surgeons to remove a small section of the patient’s own bone and cartilage from an area of the knee that does not bear weight, and transfer the plug to a damaged portion of the knee.
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Allograft Reconstruction
For larger areas of bone and cartilage loss, surgeons can implant a piece of freshly donated cartilage and bone that eventually functions as if it were the patient’s own.
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