Cartilage Replacement
Cartilage is the smooth, protective tissue that cushions the ends of bones where they meet in a joint — and when it is damaged or lost, it does not heal or regenerate on its own. Injury, repetitive use, aging, and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis can gradually wear cartilage down until bone begins to contact bone, causing chronic pain, inflammation, and stiffness that worsens over time. For patients whose cartilage damage has progressed beyond what cartilage restoration techniques alone can address, advanced cartilage replacement options offer a path to restored joint function, reduced pain, and improved quality of life.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with over 30 years of experience and more than 15,000 procedures performed. A Cornell University Medical College graduate and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals — including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — and has lectured internationally on advanced cartilage and joint treatment techniques. As Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, Dr. Glashow offers patients at his Upper East Side practice the same evidence-based, cutting-edge approach to cartilage replacement that professional athletes trust to protect their careers.
Methods of Replacing Joint Cartilage
Since cartilage does not heal or repair on its own, it can require medical treatment to restore cushion in the joints. When the layer of cartilage wears thin from repetitive use or cartilage is lost to an injury, there can be bone-on-bone friction in the joint. There are a few different methods to replace lost cartilage in joints using advanced medical technology. Some of the accepted orthopedic options include:
- Cutting-edge treatment options to stimulate healing (BMC, amniotic fluid)
- Percutaneous drilling in bone to stimulate cartilage scar tissue growth
- Cartilage harvesting and transplantation or grafting from other joints
- Implanting cartilage cells reproduced and grown in a medical lab
There are exciting medical advancements being made that are improving the methods of joint preservation and cartilage replacement available. Our orthopedic specialists utilize cutting-edge treatments and surgery to help extend the lifespan and function of joints for our patients. We offer cartilage replacement, repair and joint preservation therapies to reduce joint pain and increase mobility. When cartilage repair or restoration is no longer an option, we also perform joint replacement surgery.
When Cartilage Replacement May Be the Right Option
Not every patient with cartilage damage requires replacement — and Dr. Glashow takes a conservative-first approach, exhausting less invasive options before recommending surgical intervention. Cartilage replacement is typically considered when imaging reveals significant cartilage loss in a weight-bearing area of the joint, when prior repair attempts have not provided lasting relief, or when a patient’s pain and functional limitations have progressed to the point where daily activities and athletic performance are substantially affected. During a thorough consultation at his Upper East Side practice, Dr. Glashow evaluates each patient’s imaging, medical history, activity level, and long-term goals to determine the most appropriate treatment path — whether that involves biologic therapy, cartilage repair, cartilage replacement, or a combination of approaches tailored to the individual.
“My philosophy has always been to preserve the natural joint for as long as possible,” says Dr. Glashow. “Cartilage replacement techniques have advanced dramatically, and for the right patient, they can restore years of pain-free function and keep joint replacement surgery off the table.”
Damaged or lost cartilage is no longer the end of natural joint function. Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine offers exceptional orthopedic treatments including cartilage replacement at our medical facility in Upper East Side NYC. To learn more about our joint treatments, contact our team to schedule your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cartilage Replacement
What is cartilage replacement, and how does it differ from cartilage repair?
Cartilage repair focuses on stimulating the body to heal or regenerate existing cartilage through techniques like microfracture, drilling, or biologic therapies. Cartilage replacement goes a step further — it involves introducing new cartilage tissue into the joint, either through transplantation from another area of the patient’s body, from a donor source, or through lab-cultivated cartilage cells. Dr. Glashow recommends the approach that best fits the size, location, and severity of each patient’s cartilage defect.
How do I know if I need cartilage replacement versus a less invasive treatment?
The right approach depends on the extent of your cartilage damage, the location of the defect, and how your joint has responded to prior treatment. Patients with small, isolated defects may benefit from biologic therapies or repair techniques, while those with larger areas of cartilage loss — particularly in weight-bearing joints — may be better served by replacement. Dr. Glashow uses advanced imaging and a comprehensive clinical evaluation to guide this decision for each patient.
What types of cartilage replacement procedures does Dr. Glashow perform?
Dr. Glashow offers several advanced cartilage replacement methods, including osteochondral autograft transfer (using the patient’s own cartilage), osteochondral allograft transplantation (using donor tissue), and autologous chondrocyte implantation — where a patient’s own cartilage cells are harvested, cultivated in a lab, and reimplanted into the defect. He also incorporates biologic therapies such as bone marrow concentrate to support healing and integration of the replaced cartilage.
What is the recovery timeline after cartilage replacement?
Recovery varies based on the technique used and the joint involved, but most patients begin a structured physical therapy program within the first few weeks after surgery. Low-impact activities can typically resume within two to four months, while a full return to high-impact sports or physically demanding work may take six months to a year. Dr. Glashow coordinates closely with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and coaches to ensure each patient’s rehabilitation is progressing on track.
How long do cartilage replacement results last?
With appropriate rehabilitation and activity modification during the healing period, cartilage replacement procedures can provide years of improved joint function and pain relief. Long-term outcomes depend on factors including the patient’s age, activity level, overall joint health, and adherence to post-operative guidelines. Many patients experience significant, lasting improvement that delays or eliminates the need for total joint replacement.
Can cartilage replacement help me avoid or delay a total joint replacement?
For many patients — especially younger or more active individuals whose cartilage damage has not yet progressed to widespread, bone-on-bone arthritis — cartilage replacement can meaningfully extend the life of the natural joint. Addressing cartilage loss before it leads to advanced degeneration is one of the most effective strategies for preserving long-term joint health and postponing more extensive surgery.
