Cartilage serves an essential function within your joints, reducing friction and absorbing shock at areas where two bones meet. Losing cartilage means losing those benefits, as well as an increase in joint pain.
Kristofer J. Jones, MD, offers treatments that can help at his popular practice serving the communities of the Westwood area of Los Angeles, California, and downtown.
Cartilage is a firm, tough type of connective tissue that covers the ends of your bones at each joint. Cartilage acts as a barrier between two bone surfaces, reducing friction within the joint and helping to avoid damage when you run or jump by acting as a shock absorber.
Cartilage also helps your joints retain their shape and works in conjunction with your ligaments, tendons, and muscles to form healthy joints.
While your cartilage is durable and strong, it can sustain damage from traumatic injury or sports injuries. Cartilage can also wear down over time. Without sufficient cartilage, you can develop osteoarthritis, which is often painful.
A cartilage transplant offers the chance to repair and restore a damaged joint using your body’s own tissue. The first step is removing a portion of your cartilage from a part of the joint that isn’t experiencing lost cartilage.
That tissue is used to generate new cartilage in a lab setting. Once sufficient cartilage is grown, it’s placed back within the damaged joint, where it delivers all of the functions mentioned above.
The recovery process is relatively swift, and most people begin to notice improvements in joint pain and function right away.
Cartilage transplantation is a suitable option for many individuals. In general, younger people will have an easier time adapting to a cartilage transplant than those of advanced age. Your overall health also plays a role in how well this type of procedure will work for you.
It’s important that the joint doesn’t have additional problems. Joints with arthritis or other degenerative conditions are not always well-suited for cartilage transplants. Transplantation is a good fit for joints that have specific areas of damage, not widespread damage.
Ultimately, cartilage transplantation is best suited for active individuals who intend to resume an active lifestyle following their procedure. As with all medical procedures, it is critical to share the full details of your health history, including a list of any medications you’re taking and any conditions you’ve been treated for.
Everyone is different, and your joint health needs will be shaped by several factors. The best way to know if cartilage transplantation is a good fit for your needs is to come in for a consultation.
Dr. Jones will examine the affected joint and discuss your personal health history to determine if cartilage transplantation is in line with your needs. You can also discuss other treatment options during your visit. When you’re ready to move forward, give us a quick call or visit the online booking page to set up an appointment.
