Cartilage Repair and Treatment

Restore your movement with cartilage repair

Joint cartilage, or articular cartilage, is a tough, rubber tissue covering the end of bones. It acts as a shock absorber and reduces friction to allow easier movement in your joints. Damaged cartilage can cause joint pain and weakness. Without treatment, it can worsen and cause disability, eventually needing joint replacement.

At Goshen Orthopedics, we provide cartilage repair surgery to help prevent these complications. Cartilage repair and restoration includes a variety of surgical procedures that stimulate new cartilage growth or replace damaged cartilage.

Do I need cartilage repair?

Your provider at Goshen Orthopedics may recommend cartilage repair in these situations:

• You have one or more lesions or injuries to the cartilage.
• You don’t have arthritis.
• You have a birth defect that affects the joint cartilage.
• The joint is injured or has undergone trauma.
• You have osteochondritis dissecans, which is an activity-related condition often affecting gymnasts and pitchers.
• You have a repetitive use or overuse injury.

What to expect from cartilage repair surgery and recovery

Your orthopedic surgeon will consider the size, severity and location of your cartilage damage to determine which type of cartilage repair is right for you. Some cartilage repair techniques require open surgery. However, we will use minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy, whenever possible. Minimally invasive surgery is proven to be less painful and have a shorter recovery.

For cartilage repair in a lower extremity, you will use crutches for up to eight weeks after surgery. You will also work with a physical therapist at Goshen Rehabilitation to restore joint mobility and range of motion. Goshen Rehabilitation is located in the same building as Goshen Orthopedics. Our teams will coordinate your appointments so your care will be seamless.

Joint cartilage reduces friction and allows your joints to move smoothly. Any damage or overuse of your cartilage can lead to pain, weakness and limited mobility.

Treatment for damaged cartilage at Goshen Orthopedics

Joints without healthy cartilage don’t have the cushioning they need to move freely. To keep you moving as you should, we use the latest technologies to repair or replace damaged cartilage.

Our specialists are trained in the following types of treatment for cartilage damage:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Joint replacement
• Cartilage repair

If you’re a good candidate for nonsurgical treatment, your care plan may include:

• Physical therapy
• Help with activity modification
• Resting the affected joint

Nonsurgical treatments are ideal for older people who have a low level of activity. Younger, more active people may have problems in the future if they opt not to have surgery to fix their damaged cartilage.

Which treatment is best for me?

Most often, the severity of the cartilage damage helps determine which treatment will be most effective. Your care team may also consider your previous surgeries, as well as your age, overall health and current activity level. You’ll have the chance to discuss all the risks and benefits of each treatment option.