What are the different treatment options for injuries to the cartilage?
There are a number of different therapies, techniques, and procedures which can be used to treat injuries or prevent further wear to the articular cartilage. The treatment that is best for you depends on the type of injury you have, the types of activities you perform, your age, and other associated injuries and medical history. The medical modalities include: • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) • Physical therapy • Injections with anti-inflammatory medications or viscosity agents There are a series of surgical options for more severe cartilage injuries: • Arthroscopic lavage and debridement • Microfracture • Meniscus transplantation (for loss of the meniscal cartilages) • Osteochondral grafting or Osteoarticular Autograft Transplants (OATs) • Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) • Osteotomy/Realignment to re-establish a normal joint axis • Joint Arthroplasty/Replacement Each of the above surgical modalities has a potential role in the treatment of focal arthritis, an
