Cartilage Repair and Transplantation

The cartilage in your joints provides a cushioning barrier that prevents excess friction from causing damage to bone and connective tissues. Without a sufficient amount of cartilage, the joint will experience friction forces that lead to wear and tear. This level of deterioration may result in conditions like osteoarthritis. Typical symptoms of cartilage loss include pain, swelling and stiffness in and around the joint.

Silicon Valley Orthopaedics offers cartilage treatment options to repair or transplant cartilage, reducing pain symptoms and improving function. Cartilage does not have self-repairing capabilities. Specialized joint preservation techniques are used to stimulate healing or transplant material from donor areas elsewhere in the body. Dr. Nic Gay and Dr. Masi Reynolds are experienced orthopedic surgeons who offer a range of effective cartilage repair and transplantation options in California.

Cartilage Repair Options

There are a number of ways in which Dr. Nic Gay and Dr. Masi Reynolds can replace damaged or worn cartilage. Nutrient supplements through joint preservation procedures, like hyaluronic acid injections, are effective treatments for improving lubrication in the joints. This can slow down the progression of wear and tear of the joint. Other options may include:

• Abrasion arthroplasty – The removal and smoothing of jagged cartilage
• Drilling – Removal of damaged cartilage and stimulation of healing through small holes drilled into the bones below damaged cartilage
• Microfracture surgery – Removal of damaged cartilage and creating tiny incisions in the bone to stimulate blood flow and healing
• Osteochondral autograft transplantation surgery, or OATS – Using harvested cartilage to stimulate new structure growth in a damaged area

Dr. Nic Gay and Dr. Masi Reynolds will recommend cartilage restoration treatments based on a clinical examination. Each patient will benefit from an individualized treatment plan at Silicon Valley Orthopaedics in California. Joint preservation can slow down or even halt the progression of cartilage loss when used effectively. Contact our orthopedic practice today to schedule your consultation.