FAQs

About Cartilage

What is cartilage? How does it get damaged?

Located between the joints of the body, cartilage is a strong but flexible connective tissue. It works like a shock absorber, providing a cushion during impact and preventing the bones from “knocking” together. It plays an important role in joint function and mobility.

It can be damaged through trauma, such as an injury or accident (like a car crash or a fall), or through weakening as we age. Frequently, osteochondral lesions can occur alongside other injuries to the surrounding bone or soft tissue.

What are the symptoms of an osteochondral lesion?

The symptoms of an osteochondral lesion depend on a variety of factors, including the severity and location of the defect.

Common symptoms include pain and swelling with activity, a dull ache, mild locking or clicking, or a “loose” feeling in the joint.¹

What is the connection between damage and arthritis?

As we age, our joints can experience wear and tear and our bodies are susceptible to changes and conditions that affect joint function.²

Additionally, the cartilage between our joints can become more brittle and does not produce as much of its natural healing components. This not only decreases its ability to combat the stress of movement and impact, it can lead to damage (osteochondral lesions) that can ultimately become osteoarthritis (OA) more likely.²

About Cartilage Repair Procedures

Why is my doctor recommending cartilage repair?

Because cartilage does not have its own blood supply, it lacks the important healing elements contained in blood. When it becomes damaged, treatment may be recommended to help repair the osteochondral lesion and support your body’s natural healing process.

Not all osteochondral lesions need to be repaired. But if your doctor determines you have a lesion that would benefit from treatment, they may recommend cartilage repair to help reduce the potential for future damage or deterioration.

Your doctor will choose the best joint preservation procedure(s) for your specific needs, cartilage lesion, and activity goals. This could be in addition to recommended treatments for other injuries or conditions.

Before starting a treatment plan, your doctor may use extremely minimally invasive Nano arthroscopy tools to examine your cartilage damage and determine which treatment might be best.

Why are there so many cartilage repair treatment options?

Cartilage repair is not one size fits all. If your doctor determines that your cartilage damage requires treatment, they will choose the procedure that will best support your needs and recovery goals.

The vast Arthrex joint preservation portfolio allows surgeons to develop customized treatment plans designed to support each patient’s optimal healing and desired post-procedure goals.

What happens if I don’t repair the cartilage at all?

Blood contains important healing components, but cartilage cannot restore itself after damage, injury, or deterioration³because it does not haveits own blood supply.

Untreated damaged cartilage can lead to additional issues, such as additional injury, the need for more invasive treatments, and/or osteoarthritis.³

How do I know if I am a candidate?

Your doctor may request specialized x-rays to check alignment, updated MRI and/or possible diagnostic arthroscopy, and others to help your doctor understand the entire joint space and make informed decisions about which procedure(s) are advised to preserve your joint.

What are the benefits of cartilage repair and joint preservation treatments?

The goal of cartilage repair procedures is to repair, restore, or replace damaged cartilage to best treat current symptoms and prevent further injury. Cartilage repair is one of the key elements for joint preservation. To best optimize long-term outcomes, you doctor will evaluate the status and health of surrounding structures (such as bones and soft tissue) and determine the best joint preservation procedures for your specific needs.

Arthrex joint preservation products and techniques are tailored for different areas of the body to treat the cartilage and beyond. These techniques harness the body’s own healing power by combining application of autologous materials (such as your own blood, bone marrow aspirate, or cartilage) with minimally invasive techniques designed to support positive long-term patient outcomes.

Will getting a joint preservation treatment procedure now help me avoid a joint replacement?

Treating symptomatic cartilage damage is key to helping prevent further injury, arthritis, and/or the potential need for total joint replacement.

While joint preservation procedures are designed to repair damaged cartilage and prevent further deterioration, and support surrounding structures, there is no guarantee that a future joint procedure or replacement will not be needed. Talk to your doctor about your specific needs and treatment plan.

Will these procedures require multiple surgeries?

Arthrex cartilage repair products are designed to be used with other Arthrex joint preservation products and techniques your doctor may use to treat related, or concomitant, injuries or conditions. Your doctor will discuss your specific treatment plan, including the procedure experience, with you.

Can my cartilage repair procedure be performed at the same time as the other procedures my doctor recommends?

Yes. Cartilage damage may be a result of acute or chronic injury. To create a comprehensive and personalized joint preservation treatment plan, your doctor can combine innovative and minimally invasive Arthrex techniques for treating bone and soft-tissue injuries and conditions with your cartilage repair.

My doctor said they are going to do a procedure called microfracture. What is that technique?

Microfracture is an arthroscopic surgical procedure designed to help repair damaged cartilage by stimulating the bone marrow that lies underneath. In a microfracture procedure, a device is used to create tiny holes in the bone, allowing the body’s healing cells to surface.

Microfracture is a well-established technique and has data supporting its effectiveness for treating cartilage defects.⁷ Compared to microfracture alone, there can be an advantage to adding biologic materials over the site, such as the AutoCart technique components, to support improved long-term outcomes⁸ and return to sport.⁹‍

My doctor mentioned they may use biologics as part of my treatment plan. What does that mean?

Biologics (also sometimes referred to as orthobiologics) are derived from your own body that are designed to support your body’s natural healing process. Your doctor will choose the best biologic option for your specific procedural needs. This may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned plasma (ACP), concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA), and/or other therapies your doctor can integrate into your recommended treatment plan.

Arthrex offers innovative Orthobiologics products that may be used in your procedure, such as the Arthrex ACP® system, ACP Max™ system, Angel® system, and more.‍

About Grafts

What is the difference between an allograft and an autograft?

Some joint preservation procedures use allograft, or donor, tissue that has been cleaned and purified of all cellular components while preserving the undamaged cartilage surface. Arthrex tissue and bone allografts come only from tissue banks that are certified by the American Association of Tissue Banks, which has very strict safety and sterilization requirements.⁴

Allografts are carefully chosen by doctors based on each patient’s specific needs. It is also important to recognize and be grateful to those individuals and their families for their gift of organ and tissue donation.

Other procedures use an autograft, which is cartilage taken from a healthy, non–weight-bearing area of your joint, to replace the damaged cartilage.

Your doctor will determine which procedure is best for your specific cartilage damage and needs, which could include an allograft or autograft.

Learn about safety and risk information regarding allograft and autograft products

Are there any risks of using an allograft?

Procedures that incorporate an allograft can present certain risks, including graft delamination, poor incorporation, and injury to the surrounding cartilage. An allograft may not be the correct choice for patients who have sensitivity to antibiotics and some cleansing agents.⁵

Discuss any specific risks and concerns with your doctor.

Is there a chance my body can reject an allograft?

Risk of rejection is very rare.⁶

All allografts produced by Arthrex tissue bank partners undergo a rigorous sterilization protocol. Additionally, your doctor will thoroughly wash, or lavage, the graft and may also soak it in platelet-rich plasma to further incorporate your own cells before placing it at the site of your osteochondral lesion.

How long does it take for an allograft to incorporate?

While allograft incorporation can vary by patient and graft size, early motion can help promote graft vascularization and healing.^9,10 Additionally, the rehabilitation protocols that your doctor and physical therapist develop for you are designed to optimize your recovery to support graft incorporation.

Data has shown that activity is often delayed for at least 6 weeks until graft incorporation can be seen on x-ray. Literature also shows that activities of daily living can be started at 6 to 12 weeks¹⁰ and high-impact activities and return to sport may occur between 9 months and 1 year after surgery.¹⁰ However, every patient’s recovery is different, and your surgeon will discuss your specific postoperative protocol based on your treatment.

Ready to Discuss Your Treatment?

Use this information to help guide your conversation with your doctor about cartilage restoration and Arthrex joint preservation solutions.

Let us help you navigate your treatment journey.

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