Joint surface repair
Cartilage Damage & Restoration in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Articular cartilage is the glassy white surface that lets your knee glide without friction. It has no blood supply, so once it is chipped or worn it does not repair itself. Treating a defect early can delay or avoid joint replacement altogether.
- MRI-based mapping of the defect
- Microfracture and marrow stimulation
- Osteochondral transfer for contained defects
- Realignment osteotomy to offload the damaged side
Why cartilage damage causes pain
A cartilage defect exposes bone, which is richly supplied with nerves. The typical complaint is deep, aching pain after standing or walking, sometimes with swelling and a grinding sensation.
Untreated defects enlarge, and the surrounding cartilage begins to break down - the pathway to osteoarthritis.
Treatment options
- Microfracture - tiny perforations stimulate marrow cells to fill small defects
- Osteochondral autograft (OATS) - healthy cartilage plugs transferred from a non-weight-bearing area
- Cell-based and scaffold techniques for larger lesions
- High tibial osteotomy to shift load away from the damaged compartment
- Injection therapy and weight management as supporting treatment
Realistic expectations
Cartilage procedures need patience. Protected weight bearing for six weeks and continuous passive motion are essential, with meaningful improvement over six to twelve months as the repair tissue matures.
Cartilage preservation is discussed with patients from across Gujarat, including Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, before joint replacement is even considered - a repaired defect can delay replacement by years.
Frequently asked questions
Can damaged knee cartilage grow back?
Not naturally. Surgical techniques create a repair tissue that functions well for small and medium defects, especially in younger patients.
Am I too old for cartilage repair?
Cartilage restoration works best under 45 with a well-aligned knee. In older patients with diffuse wear, partial or total knee replacement gives more reliable relief.
Do injections help cartilage damage?
Hyaluronic acid and PRP can reduce pain and improve function, but they do not rebuild a structural defect. They are used alongside, not instead of, definitive treatment.