Articular Cartilage Restoration in Clearwater

A Possible Alternative to Joint Replacement Surgery

Cartilage is the rubbery, waxy substance that covers bones and makes it easy for them to glide across each other without damaging anything. Cartilage will naturally wear away over time, and the body is not very efficient at healing it. This can lead to chronic pains, swelling, and the onset of arthritis. Without cartilage, the integrity of bones will wear down, and they may eventually need to be replaced through a joint replacement procedure.

However, some patients qualify for a surgery in which the cartilage can be replaced in hopes of preventing/prolonging the need for a replacement. There are multiple treatment options including harvesting one’s own cells and replanting them in the weakened area. At Comprehensive Spine Institute, we can also introduce donor cells to the area in a single-stage procedure. Each one has its own unique merits and treatment is tailored for each patient.

Contact Comprehensive Spine Institute at (727) 300-2537 to learn more about articular cartilage restoration in Clearwater.

Who Can Benefit From Cartilage Restoration?

The most common candidates for articular cartilage restoration are young adults (40 and younger) whose cartilage damage stems from an injury. For older patients, both the cartilage and joints are weak enough that cartilage restoration alone will not be enough. These patients will usually require joint replacement surgery.

Treatment Options for Restoring Cartilage

There are many treatment options for cartilage restoration. Most of these are minimally invasive procedures that use an arthroscope. Only a few small incisions are required in these types of procedures

Common treatments for cartilage restoration include:

• Microfracture – Stimulating cartilage growth by supplying more blood to the area.

• Drilling – drilling holes through the injured area to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
• Abrasion – Another technique that damages the bone to stimulate healing.
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation – Growing new cartilage cells and implanting them in the injured area.
• Stem cells – Extracting stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow and placing them in the injured area so that they turn into new cartilage cells.

We will recommend treatments for you after performing a thorough evaluation. Our skilled orthopedists personalize treatments to obtain the best possible outcome.

If you would like to learn more about articular cartilage restoration in Clearwater, call (727) 300-2537 today.