A cartilage restoration procedure is something used to repair damage cartilage in the knee. Before you undergo cartilage restoration you will first have to meet with Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon who will diagnose the initial injury. The work up will include an MRI which is used to determine the severity of the injury as well as the location of the injury and the size of the injury. 
All of this is important because it has a direct impact on the type of surgical procedure used to rectify the problem. You will also have to undergo some regular bloodwork and a general check up with your primary care physician prior to your procedure with an orthopedic surgeon.
These processes will be used just to make sure that there are no underlying health concerns which could prevent you from having the procedure you need.
There are several types of cartilage restoration procedures available, depending on the extent of the damage. The possibilities are:
1. OATS Procedure – transplanting healthy cartilage to a fixed area with damaged cartilage using osteoarticular transfer surgery (OATS) .
2. ACI – autologous chondrocyte implantation – a process where healthy cartilage cells are taken from the knee, cultured in the lab for several weeks, and then new cells form.
3. Microfracture procedure – the involves small drillings into the knee cartilage to produce bleed
ing to produce bone marrow, stem cells and growth factors.
Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss any potential complications with you prior to the procedure. The is always a possibility for infection, bleeding, nerve injury, anesthesia complication and that the procedure may not work.
Recovery
The recovery time following such procedures is really contingent upon the severity of your individual case. You will be able to discuss the details of this with your orthopedic surgeon after the surgery. The amount of time that you must complete physical therapy and the type of physical therapy must complete is really contingent upon the severity of your case and what orthopedic surgeon prescribes. The pain and discomfort you feel will last for an average of 2 to 3 weeks following your surgery but it will take several weeks beyond this to fully recover.
The top knee specialist in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills is Dr. Raj at Beverly Hills Orthopedic Institute. Call (310) 247-0466 for more information and scheduling with the orthopedic surgeon Beverly Hills trusts!
