Percutaneous Drilling Joint Preservation

When cartilage in major joints is worn thin or small tears occur, it can cause friction, inflammation, stiffness and pain. A small rip in the cartilage from wear or injury can create an uneven surface that catches when the bones in the joint move. Over time, this cartilage damage can cause further inflammation and cartilage loss, endangering the health of the joint. Jonathan L. Glashow, MD is a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon who offers percutaneous drilling joint preservation to address cartilage damage at his clinic in Miami, FL.

The small fragments of damaged cartilage or tears in the surface can jeopardize the health and function of joints. This is very common in weight-bearing joints like the knees. Injuries to the knee joint can damage the cartilage, which cannot be repaired internally. There is very little blood supply to the bones and cartilage to promote tissue repair. To stop further damage and reduce joint inflammation, one method of joint preservation is performing surgery to remove cartilage debris and stimulate healing.

Minimally Invasive Cartilage Repair Surgery

Percutaneous drilling surgery is performed through tiny incisions to access the damaged or worn cartilage areas. Surgical drills and tools are used to remove damaged cartilage that can restrict joint movement and cause inflammation or pain. In areas where the cartilage is very thin or missing, small holes are drilled into the bone. These tiny wounds stimulate a healing response that can result in scar tissue forming to protect the bones in the joint, providing some level of cushion similar to regular cartilage.

Joint preservation treatments like percutaneous drilling can slow the deterioration of joints from inflammation and cartilage damage. While there is not a cure for diseases like osteoarthritis that cause extensive joint damage, there are ways to manage pain and inflammation to delay or avoid the need for joint replacement.

If you have cartilage damage that is causing joint dysfunction, inflammation and pain, contact the office of Jonathan L. Glashow, MD. Our team can schedule a joint preservation consultation to determine if joint percutaneous drilling is right for you.