Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. Healthy cartilage makes it easier to move, allowing the bones to glide over each other with very little friction. Articular cartilage can be damaged by injury or normal wear and tear.
Surgical techniques are used to stimulate the growth of new cartilage. Articular cartilage restoration includes microfracture and drilling techniques to create a new blood supply to the injured area and a healing response. Autograft transplantation transfers cartilage from one part of the guest’s joint to another or from an organ donor. Additional repair can come from regenerative medicine orthobiologic medicine therapies.
Regenerative orthobiologic therapies can include Plasma injections as well as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC). Plasma injections are derived from platelets extracted from a patient’s own blood. BMAC (sometimes called cell therapy) come from a guest’s own bone marrow, which is typically harvested from the pelvis and injected into the damaged area. Both therapies work as an internal repair system, helping to regenerate many different cell types. The orthopedic and pain management specialists at DOC believe that these cells are ideal to help treat and heal cartilage damage from osteoarthritis.
Please, visit the DOC Knowledge Center for more information about a multitude of services, treatment options, and conditions we offer.
