What Should I Expect from Cartilage Surgery?

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue found in the joints, as well as other parts of the body, such as the nose and ears. Since it does not contain blood vessels, when it becomes damaged, it heals slowly. Many types of diseases, conditions, and injuries may injure the cartilage. If the damage is severe, the patient may consider cartilage surgery to repair the area.

Many cartilage injuries are caused by trauma, which may be from repetitive stress to the area or from an impact injury. Patients may also suffer from tearing of the cartilage. A disease called osteoarthritis may also be the culprit for cartilage problems. Osteoarthritis can wear down the cartilage over time. The joints most commonly affected by cartilage problems are the knees.

Typically, a doctor will recommend that the patient try more conservative treatment methods before considering this type of procedure. Some physicians have had the same success with alternate treatments as one would expect from cartilage surgery. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections may help manage the condition. If the patient experiences symptoms that interfere with his daily activities, and conservative treatment fails, cartilage surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. Some examples of these symptoms include an inability to bear weight on the joint, severe pain, and a popping sound when the joint is moved.

Patients may expect from cartilage surgery a type of procedure called a meniscus repair, or a partial meniscectomy. In this type of surgery, the torn part of the cartilage, also known as the meniscus, is removed. This is more likely to be successful if the tear is small, and if it is located around the outer edge of the meniscus, rather than the center. A meniscus repair is typically performed with a technique called arthroscopy, which requires only a few small incisions in the area.

Another technique of cartilage surgery is called an osteotomy. An osteotomy involves removing a piece of bone near the affected joint. This creates a shift in weight, which removes pressure from the area of damaged cartilage, to an area of healthy cartilage. Osteotomies are commonly performed on knee and hip joints.

Patients with cartilage damage too severe to be addressed by other surgical techniques may need to consider a partial or total joint replacement. This surgery generally involves removing part, or all, of the damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthesis, or fake joint. A joint replacement can alleviate pain and discomfort, as well as improve the mobility of the joint.

The recovery time for cartilage surgery varies, depending on the type of procedure and the general health of the patient. For example, with a partial or total joint replacement, patients may stay in the hospital for three to five days. Patients undergoing an osteotomy may require a cast for four to eight weeks. Cartilage surgery performed with the arthroscopic techniques may not require an overnight hospital stay.

People recovering from cartilage surgery need to be diligent in following the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. They should expect from cartilage surgery the need to work with a physical therapist, to gradually restore range-of-motion and strengthen the joint. A full recovery may take months or even a year.

Patients should expect from cartilage surgery the possibility of some risks, such as infection, bleeding, and a reaction to anesthesia. There is always the possibility that the surgery will fail to correct the problem. For many patients, the possible benefits of surgery outweigh the potential risks. To minimize these, patients should fully disclose their medical history and any medications they are taking to their surgeon.