Cartilage Repair and Transplantation
Cartilage damage from injury, inflammation, or repetitive joint stress can lead to persistent pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of mobility — and because cartilage lacks its own blood supply, it cannot heal or regenerate on its own. When non-surgical treatments are no longer sufficient, cartilage repair and transplantation procedures offer a targeted approach within the broader spectrum of cartilage restoration restoring the joint’s protective surface, reducing friction between bones, and preserving natural joint function. These advanced surgical techniques are particularly valuable for patients who want to remain active and delay or avoid total joint replacement.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute/UCLA, with additional traveling shoulder fellowship training under renowned surgeons Charles Rockwood, MD and Richard Hawkins, MD. A Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, he has performed more than 15,000 orthopedic procedures over a career spanning three decades — including complex cartilage transplantation cases that require a high degree of precision and surgical expertise. Dr. Glashow serves as Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, and has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000. He brings that same level of advanced, athlete-caliber care to every patient at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
Cartilage Transplantation Surgery
When cartilage is too damaged or thin to repair, one method of preserving joint function is cartilage transplantation surgery. This method involves harvesting cartilage from other joints in the body to graft or transplant to the affected joint. This is a complex procedure that requires extensive skill and expertise to perform. Dr. Glashow and his medical team are among the top orthopedic specialists in the country and are trusted by top professional athletes and referring physicians for their experience in orthopedic joint repairs.
Deteriorating joint function and pain caused by damaged or lost cartilage can restrict your mobility and reduce your quality of life. To explore options in joint preservation and cartilage repair or transplantation, contact our team at Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine. We offer cartilage repair and transplantation at our state-of-the-art medical facility in NYC’s Upper East Side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartilage Repair and Transplantation
What is the difference between cartilage repair and cartilage transplantation?
Cartilage repair refers to techniques that stimulate the body’s own healing response to regenerate or restore damaged cartilage in place — such as microfracture, drilling, or biologic treatments like bone marrow and amniotic fluid therapies. Cartilage transplantation, on the other hand, involves harvesting healthy cartilage tissue from a non-weight-bearing area of the patient’s own joint (or from a donor) and grafting it into the damaged site. Dr. Glashow determines which approach is appropriate based on the size, depth, and location of the cartilage defect.
Who is a candidate for cartilage transplantation surgery?
Cartilage transplantation is typically recommended for patients with localized, full-thickness cartilage defects that are too large or too deep to respond to less invasive repair techniques. Ideal candidates tend to be younger or more active patients with healthy surrounding joint structures and no widespread arthritis. Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient using advanced imaging and a thorough clinical examination to determine whether transplantation will provide a durable, long-term result.
How is cartilage transplantation performed?
During the procedure, Dr. Glashow harvests a small plug of healthy cartilage and underlying bone from a low-stress area of the patient’s joint and carefully transplants it into the site of the cartilage defect. In some cases, donor cartilage tissue may be used. The procedure requires meticulous alignment and fixation to ensure the transplanted cartilage integrates with the surrounding joint surface and restores smooth, pain-free movement. Most cartilage transplantation procedures are performed arthroscopically or through a minimally invasive approach to reduce recovery time.
What is the recovery timeline after cartilage repair or transplantation?
Recovery depends on the specific technique used and the size of the area treated. Patients generally begin a guided physical therapy program within the first few weeks, with a gradual return to low-impact activities over two to four months. A full return to high-impact sports or demanding physical activity may take six months to a year. Dr. Glashow works closely with physical therapists, coaches, and athletic trainers to coordinate a rehabilitation plan tailored to each patient’s goals.
Can cartilage repair or transplantation prevent the need for joint replacement?
For many patients — particularly those with isolated cartilage defects rather than widespread arthritis — these procedures can significantly extend the functional life of the natural joint. By restoring the damaged cartilage surface before degeneration progresses to bone-on-bone contact, cartilage repair and transplantation may postpone or eliminate the need for total joint replacement surgery, especially in younger and more active individuals.
Does Dr. Glashow use biologic treatments as part of cartilage repair?
Yes. Dr. Glashow has been an early adopter of biologic therapies and frequently incorporates bone marrow-based procedures and other advanced biologics into his cartilage treatment protocols. These therapies can enhance the body’s natural healing response and may be used on their own for smaller defects or in combination with surgical repair and transplantation techniques to optimize outcomes.
