Cartilage Repair and Transplantation
Damaged cartilage in joints is the most common cause of joint pain. If an injury tears the cartilage or repetitive wear has worn the cartilage thin, the joint may be swollen, stiff and painful. Cartilage cannot repair itself on its own – there is very little blood supply to the cartilage to facilitate tissue repair. To relieve joint pain caused by damaged cartilage, Jonathan L. Glashow, MD offers cartilage repair and transplantation procedures through his practice in Miami, FL.
There are innovative methods that can help repair damaged cartilage. With cartilage a repair procedure, the goal is to stimulate tissue repair in the joint. Cartilage can regenerate, but it needs help. There are a few different methods that can be used to deliver blood supply, stem cells, growth factors and other regenerative factors to the joint. These include:
- Amniotic fluid injections
- Bone marrow injections
- PRP injections
- Joint abrasion
- Joint drilling
The method used depends on the extent of cartilage damage. Dr. Glashow and his team can evaluate the cartilage loss or damage to determine the best treatment option. If the cartilage is too thin or the damage is too severe, replacement or transplantation procedures may be recommended.
Cartilage Transplantation
Some patients with extreme cartilage loss or damage may be good candidates for cartilage transplantation. This is a complex procedure that is only performed by top orthopedic surgeons, like Dr. Glashow, who have the experience and expertise to complete the harvesting and transplantation of cartilage. Transplantation of cartilage can be completed by harvesting a portion of bone and cartilage from the patient and implanting it on the weight-bearing portion of the joint with damaged cartilage. Another option is using allograft cartilage, which is donor cartilage from someone else, to repair the damaged cartilage.
If you have stiff, painful joints from damaged or diseased cartilage, repair or transplantation procedures may be an option to restore joint function. To learn more about cartilage restoration options, contact the office of Jonathan L. Glashow, MD in Miami, FL, to schedule a joint preservation consultation.
