Surgical Techniques and Innovations for Cartilage Repair Damage to cartilage, especially in joints like the knee, presents unique challenges owing to its restricted endogenous repair mechanisms. Surgical interventions have progressed to tackle these, by way of repair, regeneration and replacement, of defective cartilage.
Cartilage Damage Explained
The articular cartilage, that caps the edges of bones in joints is important for a frictionless joint motion. But, because it is without any blood supply or nerve endings so in this sense almost self-healing in impossible. Trauma, overuse from wearing out or diseases like osteoarthritis can cause damage. Common Symptoms: Pain, swelling and decreased range of motion.
Surgical approaches of cartilage repair
Over the years, several surgical procedures have been developed to treat cartilage injuries effectively.
Microfracture … a method of opening tiny fractures in the bone beneath to create new cartilage. It is best for smaller lesions, but the cartilage may not be of the greatest quality.
Mosaicplasty: This technique involves transferring healthy cartilage from a no weight-bearing area of the joint and filling in where there is a defect to roll out this method. This results in a more permanent fix than that from microfracture.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) : An advanced procedure in which cartilage cells are removed from the patient, grown and cultured in a lab, before being re-integrated into the defective area. ACI is trying to make stronger more cartilage-like tissue.
Osteochondral Allograft: transplant of a cartilage, which uses also a donor as supply. It is most useful in large defects, but specific donor tissue matching is necessary.
Cartilage Regeneration Breakthroughs
New strategies for cartilage repair: Advances in cartilage repair have led to a new surgical approach to treating damaged tissue.
Synthetic Scaffolds: These materials can be used to complement cell-based therapies to promote new cartilage formation.cartilage repair (ad)
Research is currently underway on using stem cells to regenerate cartilage, which may represent a better alternative in future: Stem Cell Therapy
Conclusion
Although the damaged cartilage will not heal by itself, there are no shortage of options that exist through surgical means for repair and regeneration. Which method is best for each defect varies depending on the side of the defect, where it located, the size and severity of defects, and overall health. The constant improvement in operative technique and regenerative medicine offers hope for a better outcome in the treatment of cartilage injury.
