Articular Cartilage Damage & PRP
The ends of the three bones in the knee joint are covered with articular cartilage, an elastic material that helps the knee joint to move smoothly and absorb shock. Articular cartilage injuries are common in soccer players, runners and cyclists. Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own.
Articular Cartilage Damage Symptoms & PRP Treatment
Symptoms of articular cartilage injury includes pain around or under the knee cap, swelling, and limitations in daily function or sports. The pain may worsen when climbing stairs or straightening the knee. To diagnose an articular cartilage injury of the knee a physician will rely on a patient’s symptoms and x-ray.
The treatment options for cartilage problems in the knee depends on various aspects. There are patient-specific factors such as age, activity level, function and expectations. There are cartilage-defect specific factors such as the size of the cartilage lesion, where it’s located and whether or not it occurs in combination with other problems in the knee joint such as meniscus injury or osteoarthritis.
Treatments for articular cartilage injury of the knee includes cortisone or hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections, bracing and physiotherapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have gained in popularity as treatments for injuries. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is usually found in blood. Blood is drawn from the patient, and then the platelets are separated from other blood cells. Their concentration is increased using a process called centrifugation, and then they’re combined with the remaining blood. Hopefully, this injection speeds up the healing process.
Surgery for Articular Cartilage Damage
Surgical treatments include microfracturing with a special pick and De novo, which uses donor cartilage to repair the knee. Orthopedic surgeons in some parts of the world perform a process called autologous chondrocyte transplantation. This uses the patient’s own cartilage cells that are biopsied, grown in a lab and re-implanted into the knee. Total knee replacement is an option for older patient, but not for young active ones.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
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Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own.
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Symptoms of articular cartilage injury includes pain around or under the knee cap, swelling, and limitations in daily function or sports. The pain may worsen when climbing stairs or straightening the knee.
-
There are patient-specific treatment factors such as age, activity level, function and expectations. There are cartilage-defect specific factors such as the size of the cartilage lesion, where it’s located and whether or not it occurs in combination with other problems in the knee joint.
-
Treatments for articular cartilage injury of the knee includes cortisone or hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections, bracing and physiotherapy.
-
Surgical treatments include microfracturing with a special pick and De novo, which uses donor cartilage to repair the knee. Orthopedic surgeons in some parts of the world perform a process called autologous chondrocyte transplantation.
Platelet Rich Plasma Cartilage Damage Repair
Knowledge is Power.
True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Articular Cartilage Damage & PRP?
Action Plan - Articular Cartilage Damage & PRP
The ends of the three bones in the knee joint are covered with articular cartilage, an elastic material that helps the knee joint to move smoothly and absorb shock. Articular cartilage injuries are common in soccer players, runners and cyclists. Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own.
Articular Cartilage Damage Symptoms & PRP Treatment
Symptoms of articular cartilage injury includes pain around or under the knee cap, swelling, and limitations in daily function or sports. The pain may worsen when climbing stairs or straightening the knee. To diagnose an articular cartilage injury of the knee a physician will rely on a patient’s symptoms and x-ray.
The treatment options for cartilage problems in the knee depends on various aspects. There are patient-specific factors such as age, activity level, function and expectations. There are cartilage-defect specific factors such as the size of the cartilage lesion, where it’s located and whether or not it occurs in combination with other problems in the knee joint such as meniscus injury or osteoarthritis.
Treatments for articular cartilage injury of the knee includes cortisone or hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections, bracing and physiotherapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have gained in popularity as treatments for injuries. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is usually found in blood. Blood is drawn from the patient, and then the platelets are separated from other blood cells. Their concentration is increased using a process called centrifugation, and then they’re combined with the remaining blood. Hopefully, this injection speeds up the healing process.
Surgery for Articular Cartilage Damage
Surgical treatments include microfracturing with a special pick and De novo, which uses donor cartilage to repair the knee. Orthopedic surgeons in some parts of the world perform a process called autologous chondrocyte transplantation. This uses the patient’s own cartilage cells that are biopsied, grown in a lab and re-implanted into the knee. Total knee replacement is an option for older patient, but not for young active ones.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own.
-
Symptoms of articular cartilage injury includes pain around or under the knee cap, swelling, and limitations in daily function or sports. The pain may worsen when climbing stairs or straightening the knee.
-
There are patient-specific treatment factors such as age, activity level, function and expectations. There are cartilage-defect specific factors such as the size of the cartilage lesion, where it’s located and whether or not it occurs in combination with other problems in the knee joint.
-
Treatments for articular cartilage injury of the knee includes cortisone or hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma injections, bracing and physiotherapy.
-
Surgical treatments include microfracturing with a special pick and De novo, which uses donor cartilage to repair the knee. Orthopedic surgeons in some parts of the world perform a process called autologous chondrocyte transplantation.