Knee Cartilage Replacement – How and Why?

Our knee bones are covered with cartilage that gives it an extra layer of protection and helps them to move against each other to provide an optimum range of motion. However, with age, certain medical conditions or overuse and traumatic injuries, your knee cartilage can wear off and in adverse situations your knee doctor may ask you to opt for a Knee Cartilage Replacement as a last mile resolution.
Do you need a Knee Cartilage Replacement?
In general, even those people with conditions such as arthritis, can usually do without a Knee Cartilage Replacement. But, if the pain, stiffness or the extreme disability (loss of range of motion) seems to be intolerable or, if you want to restore your pre-injury levels of physical activity, then Knee Cartilage Replacement may be a good option for you. You may require a Knee Cartilage Replacement Surgery, in case of:
  • Injury or Trauma
  • Repetitive Usage of your Knee Joints
  • Certain Medical Conditions and Birth Defects
  • Hormonal Abnormalities such as those associated with Osteochondritis Dessicans.
  • Old Age
  • Arthritis
Before suggesting a replacement as a last resort, your orthopaedic surgeon will recommend you with other treatment options depending upon your level of damage. Some of the most common knee treatment options include: drug treatments, physical therapy, knee arthroscopy, osteotomy, Miniscal Transplant, Cell based Cartilage Resurfacing, Microfracture, Mosaicplasty, Osteochondral Allograft and others. Use of pain relievers and certain lifestyle changes may also help to alleviate knee pain in milder stages.
Understanding Knee Cartilage Replacement
If you are in the last stage of cartilage damage, wherein, your cartilage has gone beyond repair and there’s absolutely no scope of improvement, then your Orthopaedic Surgeon may suggest you for a complete Knee Cartilage Replacement. Most knee cartilage replacements are done in older people or those who are above 60.
Before recommending this surgical procedure, your doctor would do an MRI Scan to know the size, condition and the extent of the cartilage damage. Most Knee Surgeries are done with high precision Knee Arthroscopy wherein small holes are drilled around the joint to help locate and treat the damaged area through high precision cameras.
During the course of surgery, any remains of the work out cartilage are removed. Orthopaedic surgeon usually makes use of well-treated plastic or metallic replacements which can behave like a hard cartilage to help restore your lost range of motion. After a cartilage repair, it’s extremely essential for you to take complete bed rest or walk with the help of crutches for at least 6-8 weeks post-surgery. Follow up, as recommended by your doctor.
Also, do remember that there may be certain complications for which, even if you are willing, you would not be able to undergo a Knee Cartilage Replacement. This usually happens when your thigh or quadriceps muscles are so weak that they won’t be able to support the new joints, or, when lasting ulcers possess a threat of infection post-surgery. Finding a good Orthopaedic doctor near you will help you confirm the best possible solution for your ailing knee.




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