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New Techniques Used to Restore Knee Cartilage

Knees are the hardest working joints in our bodies - and they often have the battle scars to prove it. Each year, about 10.8 million visits are made to doctor's offices due to knee problems, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Many of those knee problems include injured cartilage.

In the past few years, orthopaedic surgeons have made more aggressive attempts to repair and restore - rather than remove - damaged cartilage. "Without treatment, minor cartilage injuries may lead to painful arthritis later in life," said Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., who joined Loyola University Health System in August as co-director of the sports medicine program.

The knee is cushioned by two kinds of cartilage. Articular cartilage covers the ends of the three leg bones that come together at the knee joint, and helps the knee joint move smoothly. Separating the bones of the knee are pads of cartilage called menisci. The two crescent-shaped pads act as shock absorbers and enhance the leg's stability.

Freedman is one of a handful of sports medicine specialists nationwide who are experienced with the latest methods of cartilage restoration. For example, in one of the newest techniques, Freedman will take a small piece of cartilage from a patient's knee and send the tissue sample to a special laboratory where it is grown for several weeks. Later the cells are implanted back in the patient's knee to repair the cartilage defect. "In many cases, this cartilage grows into nearly normal articular cartilage," Freedman said.

Articular cartilage also can be repaired by patching it with a small piece of cartilage and bone from an area of the patient's knee that is under less stress. Alternatively, the tissue could be taken from a cadaver. Freedman also uses a new and improved technique to repair articular cartilage by stimulating the growth of scar cartilage. Small holes are poked in the bone adjacent to the injury to allow the healing properties of blood and bone marrow to stimulate scar tissue in the damaged area.

For meniscal pain and dysfunction, Freedman can entirely replace the patient's meniscus with donor tissue from a cadaver. "Partial menisectomy is the most common procedure in orthopaedics," said Freedman. "For many patients, it provides good results, but for those who have recurrent pain, a meniscal transplant may be a good option."

All of these new techniques have shown good long-term results, but they are not right for every patient. Orthopaedic surgeons have a whole arsenal of techniques and treatments to restore knee function, relieve pain and improve a patient's quality of life. Many factors - including the patient's age, activity level, type of injury and preferences - are considered in devising the best treatment plan.

Freedman sees patients at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Loyola's Oakbrook Terrace Medical Center and Loyola's Primary Care Center at Darien. To make an appointment, call (708) 216-8563.

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