Cartilage Defect

About Cartilage Transplantation

A healthy knee has an uninterrupted layer of articular cartilage on all bone surfaces. As a result of traumatic injury or degeneration the articular cartilage layer can become damaged. This is a common cause of knee pain and is the precursor of osteoarthritis. In cases where the articular cartilage damage is limited to a focal area a cartilage transplant can be performed.

The Procedure

At Regional Orthopedics 3 methods of cartilage transplantation are available: Osteochondral Authograft Transplantation, Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation and Autolgous Chondrocyte Implantation. The best procedure to use is dictated in large part by the size and location of the lesion. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis by arthroscopy or arthrotomy. Recovery time is variable but typically involves a period of 6-8-12 weeks of limited/protected weight bearing.