Cartilage Repair Surgery: Your Path to Pain-Free Knees Without Full Replacement
Ever banged up your knee in a soccer game or from years of running, and now it's swelling, locking, or just plain hurting? That could be cartilage damage—the rubbery cushion in your joints wearing thin. Good news: Cartilage repair surgery can fix it without jumping straight to a full knee replacement. At Fast Track Knee Replacement, led by Dr. Aman Dua, we specialize in these joint-saving procedures to get you moving again fast.
Cartilage is the smooth tissue capping your bones, preventing grindy friction. Injuries from sports, falls, or wear-and-tear create potholes that lead to pain, instability, and early arthritis if ignored. Unlike muscles, it heals poorly sans blood flow, so surgery recruits your body's repair crew.
Diagnosis starts with an exam, X-rays, or MRI. Arthroscopy lets us peek inside and often treat small issues on the spot. For bigger defects, options abound, tailored to your age, activity level, and damage size—best for folks under 50 with focal tears.
Microfracture is a quick go-to for small spots (under 2 cm). We poke tiny holes in the bone below, releasing stem cells to form repair tissue. Outpatient, with 67-80% good results short-term; athletes return in 6-9 months with rehab.
For larger defects, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI or MACI) grows your own cells in a lab, then implants them under a membrane. It's like seeding a lawn—85-90% see lasting relief after a year of careful recovery.
Osteochondral autograft (OATS) transplants healthy plugs from your knee's low-wear zones; allografts use donors for bigger fixes. Survival rates favor OATS (over 80% at 7 years) vs. microfracture.
Risks? Minimal—infection (<1%), clots, or stiffness—but rehab rules: crutches 6-8 weeks, PT for strength, no high-impact till cleared (6-12 months). Patients love it: 'Back to marathons pain-free, ' says one post-ACI.
Dr. Aman Dua at Fast Track Knee Replacement uses cutting-edge techniques at Fortis Escorts Hospital for optimal outcomes. Ready to book? Schedule online at https://www.fasttrackkneereplacement.com or call +91 87500 05633 . Email: cjd.clinic@gmail.com. Address: Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla Road, Near Sukhdev Vihar Metro Station, Delhi 110025. Clinic hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 AM–4 PM (closed Sun). Video consults available for easy access—book now for a personalized plan!
