What would merit getting knee cartilage replacement? Let’s start with the basics. The cartilage is a type of connective tissue that lines the knee surfaces and allows the bones to slide smoothly. Suffering a blow, experiencing recurrent strain, or having a congenital condition can cause cartilage damage. This can cause pain and impair our ability to walk and altogether move. Because the cartilage does not have the innate ability to heal itself, in many cases, specialists propose surgery to restore it. However, advances in medicine have made it possible to treat certain damage without having to resort to surgery. In this article, we will go over some knee cartilage replacement alternatives.
Types of Knee Cartilage Replacement Surgery
“Cartilage surgery” encompasses many different procedures to treat cartilage damage. Here is a list of the most common types.
Chondroplasty
As its name suggests, it is a procedure to restore the cartilage (“chondro” is a prefix of Greek origin meaning “relating to cartilage” and “plasty,” also from Greek, means “formed, molded”). The surgeon, in this case, reshapes (or remolds) the cartilage via an arthroscopy, therefore, recovery time is not as long as with open surgery.
Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI®)
Let’s break it down so we can understand what this procedure entails. “Autologous chondrocytes” are literally “your own cartilage cells.” Therefore, MACI® is a process by which specialists draw from your own cells and expand them in a lab to later reintroduce them into your body to boost tissue restoration. The recovery period can take up to three months.
Microfracture (MF)
In this case, the surgeon creates tiny fractures in the underlying bone so as to elicit new cartilage development that arises from a “super-clot.” Introduced in the late 1980s by Texas-born Dr. Richard Steadman, it is also performed by arthroscopy. Although outcomes of this procedure vary and there have been reports of unsuccessful interventions, it is still a popular option.
Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation (OCA)
With the OCA method, healthy cartilage is taken from a donor (a cadaver) and transplanted into your knee. During the procedure, patients receive general anesthesia and might undergo a medial or lateral parapatellar arthrotomy. Additionally, the recovery period is quite long, as it can take over 20 weeks.
Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS®)
For this procedure, surgeons remove healthy cartilage from an area in your joint and implant it where it has deteriorated.
What Knee Cartilage Replacement Alternatives Are There?
While there are actions you can take to relieve knee pain and try to avoid surgery, there might come a point where it becomes impossible. However, thanks to advances in modern medicine, there are knee cartilage replacement alternatives to consider.
Enter: regenerative medicine. Even though cartilage, as we have mentioned, has limited self-healing properties, technological advances and research have found an innovative way to boost them. Regenerative medicine specializes on the body’s self-healing properties and on the development of tissue engineering—when put together, this means that it helps the body use its own systems to rebuild tissue. One of the RM treatments available is PRP, platelet-rich-plasma. Read on to learn about this state-of-the-art development.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): an Alternative to Knee Replacement
Similar to OATS, PRP uses the patient’s own material and reinserts it in their body. However, there are some key differences. In the case of PRP, it is blood which is withdrawn so as to isolate the platelets and by a process of centrifugation, concentrate them. The concentrated platelets are then reinserted into the knee to help boost the natural process of healing. This reinsertion is non-surgical and non-invasive. Furthermore, as the plasma (the liquid part of the blood containing the platelets) comes from the patient’s own body, it is a safe procedure with virtually no side effects.
Knee Cartilage Replacement Alternatives at Pure Health
At Pure Health Clinics, we are committed to offering the highest quality healthcare and the support necessary to live an energetic, fulfilling life. Our state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning medical providers ensure that every patient gets a personalized and bespoke treatment and experience—no two knees are the same, nor are knee and cartilage injuries. Our team of dedicated healthcare professionals listen and guide you as you learn about knee cartilage replacement alternatives. Schedule your appointment today to experience the best care.
