The articular cartilage that covers the bones in the knee joint allows the bones to slide and move without friction. When an injury or disease damages the cartilage, exposing the bone underneath, it can impact joint function and cause pain. One possible treatment for lost or damaged cartilage is osteochondral allograft transplant surgery, available at Robotic Joint Center in New York City.

Dr. Fredrick Buechel, Jr., is one of the top and best knee surgeons in the country. He has earned international respect in his field for his work in robotic knee joint replacements and innovative knee treatments. One of the advanced treatment options Dr. Buechel offers his patients with knee cartilage damage is osteochondral allograft transplant surgery. This procedure uses donor cartilage to replace lost cartilage to restore function and reduce knee joint pain.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Cartilage Transplant Surgery?

Not all patients with cartilage loss are good candidates for osteochondral allograft transplant surgery. This surgery can be very beneficial for younger patients that have damaged cartilage, but it is not usually recommended for older patients over 50, especially those with cartilage loss from arthritis. Patients with knee pain and functional issues caused by the following cartilage damage may be good candidates for cartilage transplant surgery:

• Knee injuries
• Large or localized areas of cartilage loss
• Avascular necrosis
• Osteochondritis dissecans

The cartilage transplant is performed by measuring the exact size and shape of the missing cartilage and creating a piece of donor cartilage to fit the space, like a puzzle piece. The goal is to create a smooth cartilage surface to restore the gliding function of the knee joint, reducing pain and inflammation.

If you have cartilage damage in your knee joint that is causing pain, catching or knee dysfunction, contact us at Robotic Joint Center. We can schedule a knee consultation with one of NYC’s best knee surgeons, Dr. Buechel, to discuss knee treatment options. You may be a good candidate for osteochondral allograft transplant surgery to repair your knee cartilage and joint function.