femalesportsinjuries.com

Autologous Condrocyte Implantation (ACI), is a method of regenerating articular cartilage cells to be implanted directly into a defect.  Carticel is the name given to normal cartilage cells that are harvested from the knee arthroscopically, culturedin a lab in Boston, then reimplanted into the injured area during a 2nd surgical procedure.  The cells are held in …

Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation (OATS), also known as Mosaicplasty, is another method of filling focal cartilage defects of the knee.  Plugs of normal cartilage and bone are taken from one part of the knee, and are transferred to the injured part of the knee.  It is similar to the idea of transplanting hair plugs for treatment …

DeNovo NT Natural Tissue Graft is the newest option for treating focal cartilage defects in the knee.  Although the knee is the most common area, it can also be used in other joints, such as the ankle, shoulder, hip or elbow.  Allograft (cadaver) juvenile cartilage cells are used, and are implanted into the defect in …

Microfracture is a marrow-stimulating technique of repairing focal cartilage defects in the knee.  The procedure is done through an arthroscope.  An awl is used to create multiple drill holes into the defect, causing bleeding at the surgical site.  The bleeding draws cells to the surface that form fibrocartilage, which is an immature form of the normal …

Cartilage injuries typically refer to the articular cartilage of the knee, which is the soft, protective layer covering the bone of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (leg bone).  It is similar to the “gristle” at the end of a chicken bone.  It’s purpose is to help cushion the knee joint.  When it become thinned …