Injuries to knee cartilage can be quite painful and debilitating, making it challenging to perform everyday activities. However, there are non-surgical methods that can help repair knee cartilage without the need for invasive procedures.
The cost of microfracture surgery is around $4,000, making it less expensive than some other knee repair procedures. We are a critical resource in our mountain community, providing the full spectrum of care for our friends, neighbors, and visitors, from pediatrics to geriatrics. With a persistent dedication to patient-focused care, we continue to score high on key measures in patient satisfaction surveys.
A surgeon can encourage new cartilage growth by making small cuts or abrasions in the bone underneath the injured cartilage. The hope is that the blood from the damaged bone will facilitate new cartilage cell growth. Most of these treatments can be done by arthroscopy (more commonly known as keyhole surgery), providing benefits of less pain, less bleeding, and faster recovery. However, some injuries will still require a traditional open incision technique where a bigger cut is made to expose the cartilage damage. Although the new study didn’t follow up with patients long term, researchers analyzed the results of a separate trial from 2022 including 120 ACL tears. They found that after two years, a third of injuries in people who were randomly selected to undergo physical therapy showed signs of healing on an MRI.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a common non-surgical treatment option for repairing knee cartilage. Through a personalized exercise program, physical therapists can help strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, improve flexibility, and reduce pain and inflammation. This can help support the damaged cartilage and promote healing.
In addition, an allograft is typically used to repair areas of worn cartilage that are no larger than a dime. Microfracture is not recommended for older adults with severe osteoarthritis or for repairing large lesions. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he wasn’t given a timeline of how long Perdomo will be out but said the normal recovery time for the surgery is six to eight weeks. He reaggravated the injury while running the bases on Wednesday at Chase Field. After feeling discomfort while going through agility drills on Friday at Truist Park, he underwent an MRI on Saturday and settled on undergoing surgery.
I am also passionate about helping patients with arthritis, one of the biggest quality-of-life threats. RECLAIM for hip and knee is performed under FDA scrutiny as an investigational new drug in a phase 1 trial I led with a team of Mayo Clinic investigators, and it is not yet widely available. Heat therapy can help relax muscles and relieve aches that result from arthritis. Supplements such as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate have wide use. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may support cartilage function and stability. Nonsurgical management of knee OA may also include efforts to reach or maintain a moderate weight and strengthen muscles.
When these symptoms don’t go away after a few days, you set up a doctor’s appointment. Your doctor may suggest a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, in which your own blood is used as a treatment to reduce inflammation and protect remaining cartilage. Platelet-rich plasma is made of blood cells called platelets, which release substances called growth factors that stimulate healing. The duration of physical therapy depends on the extent of the knee cartilage injury but may last for several weeks.
However, it has remained unclear whether stem cells are responsible for regeneration or whether they trigger the process. This is a very new treatment and different laboratories yield very different results, but it is beginning to show much promise. Traditional Ayurvedic treatments are widely used in South Asia to reduce swelling, pain, and motion restrictions in meniscus tears and knee osteoarthritis. These surgeries can be performed on almost any joint, but they are most commonly performed on knees. They are generally appropriate for people who have specific cartilage injuries rather than widespread cartilage damage, like that found in moderate to severe knee arthritis.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is another non-surgical option for repairing knee cartilage. This treatment involves injecting a concentrated solution of platelets from the patient’s own blood into the damaged area of the knee. The growth factors in the platelets stimulate tissue regeneration and repair, helping to heal the damaged cartilage.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge non-surgical treatment for repairing knee cartilage. This procedure involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow or fat tissue and injecting them into the damaged area of the knee. The stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various types of cells, including cartilage cells, promoting the regeneration of damaged cartilage.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation is a non-surgical treatment option that involves injecting a gel-like substance called hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. This helps lubricate the joint, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve mobility. Viscosupplementation can also help protect the existing cartilage and potentially stimulate the production of new cartilage cells.
While surgery may be necessary in some cases of severe knee cartilage damage, these non-surgical methods offer alternatives for repairing knee cartilage and relieving pain without the risks and recovery time associated with surgery. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option for your specific condition.
