How Successful Are Cartilage Implants?

Cartilage is a special kind of connective tissue that is present in several areas of the body, like the knees, intervertebral discs, ears and the respiratory tract. Different kinds of cartilage differ in structure and function. Generally, when people speak of cartilage pain, it refers to pain in the knee.

Knee problems are the most recurring problems in sports people and in the general populace. In fact, it has been recorded as the #1 reason for application of leave by sportspeople. When the cartilage in the knee is damaged, it could lead to pain and severe restriction in movement. This is because the knee withstands a lot of pressure when the body is in motion. The cartilage acts as a lubricant between the bones of the knee joint. When the lubricant is damaged or destroyed, the bones start rubbing against each other, causing extreme discomfort, pain and mobility problems.

Cartilage damage generally has no specific indications. Patients may complain of pain or intermittent swelling. Sometimes, patients may also experience a locking sound. Cartilage damage will be evident on examination when the doctor observes wasting of muscles (through x-rays), limitation of movement and tenderness (through physical examination). In acute cases, the damage may be serious enough to cause bleeding in the knee.

Generally, patients who desire long term solution for their knee pain ultimately opt for cartilage implants. Since the body does not have the ability to regenerate or rebuild cartilage, the only solution is to introduce cartilage implants that work in a manner similar to the cartilage.

Cartilage implants are generally the last leg of treatment. Doctors try to catch knee injury problems at the earliest and start treatment methods early to prevent further cartilage deterioration. This is because relatively small areas of cartilage damage may be filled with new cartilage. Introducing cartilage implant is a complicated procedure. Unless it is done by an expert, the chances of failure are very high. The reason is that doctors have not found a way of affixing cartilage cells properly in the knee area in such a way that they can withstand tremendous pressure and operate smoothly. Cartilage implants must glide smoothly between the joints and must be able to support smooth motion. If they are displaced in the course of daily activities, pain and discomfort return.

When cartilage implants are not possible or not effective, the best alternative is to opt for total knee replacement. This is the last resort to repair defective cartilage. In this procedure, the defective parts are removed. The surfaces that are worn out are then resurfaced with suitable materials so that the artificial joint can function in a normal manner. Knee replacement is fairly routine and more than 95% of patients who opt for it are completely successful in regaining total movement and normalcy. Injuries to the cartilage are very common and independent of age. In most cases, stress or overuse could be the cause of the problem. However, for treatment to be effective, it is important to approach a doctor for the proper treatment at the earliest.