Cartilage / Arthritis
Cartilage covers all parts of the knee joint. An injury to the cartilage can happen by trauma, persistent overload or by progressive deterioration with age, the latter known as osteoarthritis. Depending on the size and location of the injury, different surgical treatment options can be applied.
In case of a singular cartilage defect different surgical procedures can be applied depending on the location and size of the lesion. The aim of the surgery is to reconstruct the cartilage and the function of the knee joint and reduce the pain. Some of these techniques can be performed arthroscopically.
If the cartilage of the knee joint is generally degenerated, this situation is called osteoarthritis. In case of a beginning osteoarthritis the implantation of a total knee prosthesis is not necessary. In this case injecions with hyaluronic acid can reduce the pain significantly and improve the function of the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the fluid within the knee joint and serves as a lubricant and nuturing substance. If hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint, pain caused by osteoarthritis reduces in most cases.
If the osteoarthritis is advanced, the implantation of a knee prosthesis will help. In case of surgery the diseased cartilage of the knee joint is removed and replaced with a metal cap which is placed onto the bone. Between the metal caps a polyehtylene spacer will be placed which enables motion of the joint.