Cartilage Treatment Center Options
MENISCAL CARTILAGE TREATMENT
Knee meniscal cartilage tears represent the most common knee problem leading to surgery in America. Meniscus damage can happen through daily living activities that do not involve specific trauma or in other cases, meniscal cartilage tears can be a direct result of trauma that occurs in sport or in the workplace. Once there is injury to the meniscal cartilage, the body's response often is pain and swelling. At times, the knee may "lock," "give way," or "go out completely." Unfortunately, it is rare for a meniscus to heal without surgical intervention.
The goal of meniscal surgery is to maintain meniscal cartilage function. Knee surgeons recognize the protective value of the meniscal cartilage and they will recommend corrective surgery to restore normal function. In the days of open cartilage surgery, the entire meniscus was typically removed. However, today, in an effort to preserve meniscal function after a tear, surgeons can, at times, repair the meniscus using a variety of techniques. These techniques include using special sutures, absorbable implants or staples to secure the tear.
Nevertheless, even with the newest repair techniques available, the vast majority of meniscal tears are not repairable and are consequently treated by removing the torn portion. This is known as a partial meniscectomy. Unfortunately patients who undergo a partial meniscectomy often show a development of arthritis in long-term follow-up studies. This outcome is very similar to patients who underwent a total meniscectomy surgery in years past.
Improved Treatment Options
When the above treatment methods are not deemed adequate, CRC of Indiana offers options for the actual restoration of meniscal cartilage. Read about those methods here.
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE TREATMENT
Articular cartilage, the glistening white tissue that covers the ends of the bones, is both tough and resilient. It is not only important for the smooth gliding of the joint, but also to "soften" the impact during loading much the same as a shock absorber. Articular cartilage may not appear to be alive, but it is. The number of cells (chondrocytes), which reside in the tissue, is indeed small (approx. 5%), but they have the job of keeping the matrix around them healthy. Think of the cells as the few marshmallows suspended in a Jell-O® mold. As with most body tissues, there is a constant wear-out and replacement activity of this matrix (The marshmallows repair and replenish the Jell-O® matrix). Unfortunately, the chondrocytes typically do not replicate and cannot repair themselves. They also decrease in number as we age.
Once the chondrocytes are damaged or lost (die), the surrounding matrix then gradually degenerates. Without help, the body is not able to repair these articular cartilage defects. That is when cartilage restoration surgeons can intervene to help the body start a healing response or replaces the worn tissue.
The CRC of Indiana offers several options for treatment of damaged articular cartilage, starting with methods for repairing early, localized damage called focal chondral defects. These options include: