You may have suffered a sports injury or other trauma.

The Cartilage Restoration Program at the Bryn Mawr Hospital Orthopedic Center in the Philadelphia suburbs uses advanced technology and biological engineering to treat articular cartilage and meniscus cartilage injuries of the knee. Our goals are to repair damaged cartilage, resolve pain and restore function.

Anatomy of the Knee
There are two types of cartilage in the knee, both of which are prone to injury. The meniscus cartilage are the cartilage rings inside the knee that function as a cushion between the bones. The articular cartilage is the lining that covers the ends of the bones and provides a smooth gliding surface. Injury to either type of cartilage can cause considerable pain. Cartilage restoration may help restore the function and alleviate symptoms from injuries to both types of knee cartilage.

What is Cartilage Restoration?
Cartilage restoration is one of the most significant advances in orthopedic surgery since total joint replacement and arthroscopy. The procedure is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in restoration techniques to preserve, repair, and replace cartilage, the tough, fibrous tissue that provides cushioning where bones come together to form the body's joints. The surgeon may repair an injury or re-contour areas of wear and tear to resolve pain, restore function, and possibly delay the progression of arthritis. Replacement techniques are also available in which actual donor cartilage (your own cartilage or donated tissue) is grafted to the problem site. Good candidates for cartilage restoration are active people under age 50 who have cartilage injuries or diseases and are at risk for premature arthritis. The exact procedure that is most beneficial to you will be determined by your age and the extent of cartilage damage you have experienced.

Cartilage Restoration Techniques include:

• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Healthy cartilage cells are harvested from your own knee. These cells are then cultivated and implanted in the area of the damaged or missing cartilage.

• Osteochondral Autografting: A plug of bone and healthy cartilage is harvested from one area and transplanted to the injury site.

• Osteochondral Allografting: This procedure is used for larger injuries and requires a cartilage graft from a donor source.

• Meniscus Transplantation: Surgeons can now replace the meniscus with donor cartilage. The donor tissue functions as your own to restore the cushion and stability of the knee joint.

• Articular cartilage repair: In this arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon repairs the site of damaged cartilage by reattaching the piece of loose cartilage, usually with pins or screws.

• Microfracture: This procedure is used to stimulate new growth when bone has been exposed by the cartilage loss. Tiny holes are created in the bone which leads to the formation of a cartilage repair tissue.

• Meniscus Repair: Our specialists can repair a damaged or torn meniscus arthroscopically by securing the tear with sutures to preserve its function.

If You Have Established Arthritis:

If you have established arthritis, your orthopedist may recommend an alternate procedure to cartilage restoration, such as:

• Viscosupplementation: The knee joint is injected with a lubricating substance which helps to alleviate pain and restore function.

• Osteotomy: A wedge of bone is added or removed to realign the knee joint and take pressure off of the damaged area.

• Partial Knee Replacement: The damaged side of the knee joint is reconstructed to delay or avoid the need for a total knee replacement.

• Total Knee Replacement: This procedure to reconstruct the entire knee joint remains the most effective and lasting treatment for advanced arthritis.

Related Topics...

• Sports Medicine
• Knee and Hip Pain
• Total Joint Replacement Program