Knee arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. Since arthritis is a chronic condition, it cannot be cured. However, conservative treatment (such as anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections) can manage arthritis symptoms.

When those treatments no longer provide relief, you may be a candidate for a knee cartilage transplant. 

When Is Knee Cartilage Transplant Surgery Recommended?

Over the years, knee cartilage can become damaged from arthritis caused by orthopaedic trauma or just general wear-and-tear common in active populations. Someone that damage occurs in younger people who aren’t quite ready for a knee replacement. In other cases, the damage is confined to just a small section of the knee cartilage. In these situations, Dr. Sterett may recommend a knee cartilage transplant.

Dr. Sterett may also recommend a knee cartilage transplant for the following cases:

• Patients between 18-50 years old who are active and healthy

• Cases where there is no misalignment of the knee

• Patients experiencing knee pain even while at rest

• Knees with localized cartilage damage

Generally, knee cartilage transplant candidates are younger, more active people experiencing knee pain caused by worn cartilage. For these patient populations, a knee cartilage transplant has the following benefits:

• Quick rehab and recovery

• Long-term, immediate relief from painful symptoms

• Less surgical risk of scarring and infection

• Improved knee joint mobility 

• No compromise to the knee’s stability

• Ability to return to impact activities at a high-level

While a knee cartilage transplant can slow down the degenerative process of arthritis, this procedure doesn’t mean patients won’t require a future knee replacement later in life.

What Happens During Knee Cartilage Transplant Surgery?

During knee cartilage transplant surgery, the damaged cartilage in the knee can either be repaired or removed and replaced. 

This can be done in a variety of ways, including:

1. Knee Debridement: If cartilage damage is caught in the early stages, Dr. Sterett can remove the frayed sections of knee cartilage as well as potential irritants that could cause further damage to the joint. 

2. Osteochondral Autograft: Dr. Sterett harvests cartilage from a non-weight-bearing joint in the patient’s own body and uses it to replace the damaged cartilage in the knee. An osteochondral allograft is typically recommended over an autograph when the knee cartilage damage is limited to a small compartment of the knee joint. 

3. Osteochondral Allograft: Cartilage is harvested from a donor (usually a cadaver joint) to replace the patient’s damaged knee cartilage. While an autograft can be done arthroscopically, an allograft requires an open incision (meaning a larger incision site and a longer recovery period). 

4. Autologous Chondrocyte Transplant: Requiring two surgeries, this procedure grows new cells from the patient's tissue and injects them into the damaged joint. The first surgery will harvest the tissue, and the second surgery will inject them. Dr. Sterett typically recommends this procedure in rare instances for patients who have several areas of cartilage damage. 

Biologics, such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, are used alongside several procedures to encourage cell growth in the new cartilage. However, these therapies will not repair damaged cartilage on their own. 

The type of surgical procedure Dr. Sterett recommends will depend on the unique needs of the patient and the extent of damage to the knee cartilage. 

Expert Knee Cartilage Surgery In the Vail Valley

If you believe you may be a candidate for knee cartilage transplant surgery, contact Dr. Sterett today! He and his expert team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery are dedicated to fitting the treatment to the patient to get them back to the activities they love.

With nearly 30 years of orthopaedic expertise (including 18 years at the Steadman Clinic), Dr. Sterett is known throughout the United States as the leading expert in knee injuries. Schedule your consultation today by calling (970) 476-7220 or complete our online appointment request form.