Advanced Cartilage Repair Procedures Performed in Freehold and Monroe Township, NJ

Articular cartilage is a flexible tissue that covers the moving surfaces of a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide smoothly against each other with minimal friction. Through sudden trauma or gradual wear and tear, cartilage can become damaged. Some common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, instability, and reduced range of motion.

Cartilage does not heal well on its own. Even so, in many cases, cartilage damage can be effectively treated with rest, ice applications, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A conservative treatment approach may be especially well-suited for a moderately active individual. On the other hand, an athlete or another highly active individual might consider surgical treatment to physically repair, remove, or replace the damaged cartilage.

Surgical Repair Options for Damaged Cartilage

At Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI) in Freehold and Monroe Township, New Jersey, our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons perform the latest cartilage repair procedures, including:

• Microfracture — An arthroscopic surgical technique, microfracture involves the creation of a series of tiny holes in the bone underneath damaged cartilage. Blood and bone marrow cells pass through the holes and form a marrow-rich “super clot,” which may stimulate the development of new cartilage.
• DeNovo® NT natural tissue graft — A one-stage cartilage repair technique, DeNovo NT involves the placement of particulate juvenile cartilage allograft in the damaged area of a joint.
• Osteochondral autograft transplantation — A piece of tissue is taken from a healthy section of the joint and then transplanted to the damaged site.
• Osteochondral allograft transplant — A donor’s osteochondral tissue is transplanted to a damaged area of the recipient’s joint.
• Autologous chondrocyte implantation — An initial arthroscopic procedure is performed to harvest small pieces of cartilage from a non-weight-bearing area of the joint. The cartilage pieces are then sent to a laboratory, where the cells are isolated and cultured for several weeks. When a sufficient number of cells have been produced, a second operation is performed. After smoothing the damaged area and covering it with a patch-like membrane, the surgeon injects the harvested cells underneath the membrane. The cells may then grow and mature in the joint, gradually replacing the damaged cartilage with healthy cartilage.

The knowledgeable and friendly team at AOSMI will be pleased to help you explore your treatment options for cartilage damage. To schedule a consultation at our office in Freehold or Monroe Township, NJ, contact us today.