Cartilage Transplant
Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction.
Articular cartilage can be damaged by injury or normal wear and tear. Because cartilage does not heal itself well, doctors have developed surgical techniques to stimulate the growth of new cartilage. Restoring articular cartilage can relieve pain and allow better function. Most importantly, it can delay or prevent the onset of arthritis.
Surgical techniques to repair damaged cartilage are still evolving. It is hoped that as more is learned about cartilage and the healing response, surgeons will be better able to restore an injured joint.
Treatment
In osteochondral autograft transplantation, cartilage is transferred from one part of the joint to another. Healthy cartilage tissue – a graft — is taken from an area of the bone that does not carry weight (non-weightbearing). The graft is taken as a cylindrical plug of cartilage and subchondral bone. It is then matched to the surface area of the defect and impacted into place. This leaves a smooth cartilage surface in the joint.
- Mosaicplasty type osteochondral autograft transplantation procedure.
- A single plug of cartilage may be taken or a procedure using multiple plugs, called mosaicplasty, may be performed.
A single plug of cartilage may be transferred or a procedure with multiple plugs, called mosaicplasty, may be done. - Osteochondral autograft is used for smaller cartilage defects. This is because the healthy graft tissue can only be taken from a limited area of the same joint. It can be done with an