Cartilage Restoration Procedures in Colorado Springs
Articular cartilage is a smooth, white tissue that acts as a cushion between specific bones and allows your joints to move smoothly. When compromised due to traumatic or overuse injuries, you may experience significant pain and restricted mobility. Unfortunately, cartilage lacks a direct blood supply therefore, it does not heal on its own when damaged. Without treatment or alteration in perpetual activities, this can lead to the onset of early arthritis. However, with technological advancements, such as cartilage restoration procedures, joint preservation is possible for active individuals who may be too young to qualify for a joint replacement or would prefer not to receive a total joint replacement.
Fellowship-trained Sports Medicine Physician, Dr. Jamie Friedman of Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group, is specifically trained in several advanced Cartilage Restoration procedures addressing:
- Treatment for Surface Cartilage Lesions
- Autologous cell implantation
- Biocartilage cell allograft implantation
- Treatment for Structural Cartilage Lesions
- Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation (OATs)
- Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation (OCA)
- Treatment for Malalignment of the leg
- High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)
- Distal Femoral Osteotomy (DFO)
With Cartilage Restoration, the joint can be resurfaced or reconstructed to a natural smooth surface allowing the patient to return to their normal activities with reduced or non-existent pain.
“I’m excited to bring Cartilage Restoration procedures to Colorado Springs. We have such an active population here, and nobody wants to be limited by joint pain. My goal is to get both the elite athlete and weekend warrior back to the activities they love. Cartilage Restoration makes this possible with minimally invasive techniques that provide many years of unrestricted activity without pain. Saving a patient from an early knee replacement is very rewarding.”
– Dr. Jamie Friedman, MD.
Cartilage Restoration Surgery
Cartilage Restoration is a treatment option that can delay or prevent the need for joint replacement surgery especially in younger adults. Each procedure type replaces the damaged cartilage and provides the knee joint with both the necessary shock absorbing and smooth gliding mechanisms to allow activities performed by the patient to occur without pain.
The best candidates for Cartilage Restoration surgery can range; however, are most commonly active young adults or those who have severe pain and are too young for a partial or total knee replacement.
Cartilage Damage Symptoms
Common causes of cartilage damage include repetitive wear and tear on the joint, a traumatic injury, or a sports injury. With sports or traumatic injuries, the twisting or jarring of the joint can cause the cartilage to tear or separate. It is common for cartilage damage to occur at the same time when ligaments or tendons around the joint are injured. For example, during an ACL or MCL tear, it is common to see a meniscus or articular cartilage injury.
Most symptoms present with increased pain or swelling after a particular activity or at the end of an active day. They may also have mechanical symptoms such as painful clicking or catching when the knee is bent or straightened. In very advanced cartilage loss, patients may be severely limited by this pain.
- Symptoms indicating you may have cartilage damage include:
- Stiffness or pain within the joint
- Swelling of the joint
- Reduced range of motion
- Painful clicking or catching when you bend or straighten your knee
- Weakness or the feeling of being unstable
The presentation of pain will vary from patient to patient. For some, the pain is a persistent ache. For others, the pain comes and goes, and can be induced when suddenly bearing weight on the joint. You might also notice that your joint does not bend or twist as far as it used to. This limited range of motion could be caused by swelling, discomfort, or a mechanical issue within the joint.
Types of Cartilage Restoration
Dr. Friedman specializes in arthroscopic or minimally invasive Cartilage Restoration procedures. The below details the three main types of Cartilage Restoration procedures that are performed at Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group.
Surface Cartilage Lesions:
This can be thought of as ‘repaving the street’. Dr. Friedman uses this technique when the cartilage problem is only on the surface.
Structural Cartilage Lesions:
This can be thought of as ‘filling in the potholes.’ Dr. Friedman uses this technique when the cartilage problem involves the underlying bone.
Malalignment of the Leg:
There are two types of Coronal Malalignment of the leg. Someone may either be too ‘knock-kneed’ also called genu valgus or someone may be too ‘bow-legged’ also called genu varum. An osteotomy is the corrective procedure to realign the knee joint in either case.
Cartilage Restoration Recovery Time
Recovery time for a Cartilage Restoration procedure will vary dependent upon which surgery is performed, adherence to physical therapy protocols, and the overall health status of each patient. On average, a patient will be partially weight-bearing for six weeks; however, they will start their rehab right away. As the cartilage continues to heal, the patient will increase their range of motion, strength, and balance typically returning to normal activities within three months. Overall, you can anticipate between four to six months to fully recover and return to more rigorous activities and sports.
Cartilage Restoration Physician:
Jamie L. Friedman, MD
Dr. Friedman’s interests include treating a full range of sports injuries and specializes in complex injuries involving the shoulder and knee.
> Jamie L. Friedman, MD
Cartilage Restoration Near Me
We have two cartilage restoration surgery centers in Colorado Springs:
North Location
4110 Briargate Parkway, Suite 300,
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
(719) 867-7320
South Location
1259 Lake Plaza Drive, Suite 100,
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 622-4524
Is Joint Cartilage Restoration Right for You?
You do not have to live with pain. If you are suffering from joint pain and suspect cartilage damaged, contact us at 719-632-7669 to schedule your initial consultation.
Visit us at www.csog.net to learn more.
