Knee Cartilage Injuries

Cartilage injuries are like meniscal injuries, with a difference between younger and older patients. Younger patients often have smaller cartilage lesions from a sudden injury, whereas as we get older we often have more generalised cartilage loss from arthritis.

The smaller localised lesions of less than 3-4 cm2  can be managed with cartilage augmentation procedures.  Many years ago we used to drill holes in the bone to stimulate a form of scar tissue over the lost cartilage, but the type of cartilage that covered the bone wasn't of great quality. 

More modern techniques including the latest and innovative technique of ‘Autocart’ have promising results.  This technique harvests your own cartilage which is then mixed with platelet plasma form your own body and mixed with a thrombinator into a gel that is placed over the lesion with the aim of growing new cartilage in these smaller areas. 

For more widespread cartilage loss, we can smooth the remaining cartilage, but keeping within a healthy weight, keeping the joint strong and the occasional use of injections may be the best option until you need a joint replacement.