Welcome to the ICRS Patient & Public Education Site

If you suffer from joint pain, you’re not alone. Each year, more than 50 million people visit their doctors because of joint pain — half of them with a damage of the articular cartilage.

On this website, you can find useful, updated information on specific cartilage-related conditions and possible treatments options, written by world-renowned experts in this field, helpful patient information to read and download, and other useful resources

The choice of procedures depends on the size and location of cartilage defect. Larger defects are typically treated with autologous chondrocyte transplantation, osteochondral allograft transplantation, or newer synthetic or natural scaffolds which may require open incisions. Smaller defects in specific locations may be treated with enhanced bone marrow stimulating techniques, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), or osteochondral autograft transfer which may be completed through the arthroscope. There is also a chapter for conservative treatments options and rehabilitation after cartilage repair.

Intended Audience for this Website

People of all ages can suffer from cartilage complications, whether due to ‘wear and tear’ or injury. While the former is much more common in middle-aged patients, and even more so in women, injuries to the joints, such as trauma or accidents during active sports, can affect any age group or gender. Careers requiring repetitive or intense motion can increase the risk of developing cartilage problems, but there are several other risk factors, including age, weight and genetic predisposition.

What is Cartilage Repair?

On this website, we focus only on articular cartilage repair treatments, which means the restoration of damaged hyaline cartilage in the joints. Cartilage repair and regeneration is a treatment for joints that have damaged cartilage but are otherwise healthy. Typically, these procedures are recommended for cartilage damage or deterioration caused by:

Injury or trauma, including sports injuries or repetitive use of the joint Congenital abnormalities – abnormalities a person is born with (for instance misalignment) – that affect normal joint structure Hormonal or idiopathic disorders that affect bone and joint development, such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). There are several types of new and modern procedures for cartilage repair and regeneration techniques that are designed to heal the cartilage by filling the cartilage defect (pothole) with repair tissue.

What is not covered in this Website?

There are several types of bone and joint pain, each with many potential sources or etiologies. This site is not intended for people who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, avascular necrosis (AVN), and cancer within bones, osteoporosis and other inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Acknowledgements

To the Mäxi Foundation: 
This website project would not have been possible without the substantial support of the Swiss “Mäxi Foundation”. The ICRS would like to express a deep gratitude for this very generous contribution to the International Cartilage Repair Society and the respective patient community, making it possible to provide updated information about cartilage damage and cartilage repair technologies free of charge to all interested persons.

To the Authors & Contributors:
The following world-renowned experts in cartilage repair & cartilage research have contributed to the extensive content of this website: Stephen Abelow (USA), William Bugbee (USA), Susan Chubinskaya (USA), Brian Cole (USA), Stefano Della Villa (IT), Chris Erggelet (CH), Jack Farr (USA), Ralph Gambardella (USA), Michael Gerhardt (USA), Wayne Gersoff (USA), Alan Getgood (CA), Alberto Gobbi (IT), Laszlo Hangody (HU), Oliver Kessler (CH), Elizaveta Kon (IT), Jos Malda (NL), Bert Mandelbaum (USA), Tom Minas (USA), Kai Mithoefer (USA), Stefan Nehrer (AT), Lars Peterson (SE), Scott Gillogly (USA), Holly Silvers (USA), Jason Theodosakis (USA) and Kenneth Zaslav (USA)

To anyone else who contributed to this important project
ICRS Office Staff, Medical Writers, Committees, Illustrators and Web Developers, etc.

Terms of Use

These terms of use, together with our Privacy Policy collectively, these “Terms of Use”, governs access to and any use of the website cartilage.org and any sub-sites (the “Website“), including any content, functionality and services offered on or through the Website. By using the Website or by clicking to accept or agree to the Terms of Use when that option is made available, visitors of the Website accept and agree to bound and abide by the Terms of Use on behalf of all users of the respective computer. Visitors who do not agree with these Terms of Use must not access or use the Website.

International Cartilage Repair Society (“ICRS”) (“we” or “us”) may revise and update these Terms of Use from time to time in our sole discretion. All changes are effective immediately when we post them. Your continued use of the Website following the posting of revised Terms of Use means that you accept and agree to the changes. You are expected to check this page from time to time so that you are aware of any changes, as they are binding on you.

The information on the Website is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any cartilage related issues. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding your medical condition.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”), together with the Terms of Use for the patient website section, applies to any use of the website cartilage.org and any sub-sites (the “Website”), including any content, functionality and services offered on or through the Website. By using the Website or by clicking to accept or agree to the Terms of Use when that option is made available, visitors of the Website accept and agree on behalf of all users of the respective computer to be bound and abide by the Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy. Visitors who do not agree with the Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy must not access or use the Website.

International Cartilage Repair Society (“ICRS”) (“we” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is protected. This Privacy Policy explains the types of personal information we collect and how we use, disclose and protect that information.

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Emma Wharton

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Emma Wharton

A massive difference to my life...

Emma Wharton

“My knee had been sore for about six to nine months and my symptoms progressively got worse with the pain sometimes keeping me awake at night. It got to the point where I couldn’t do any exercise without being in a lot of pain.  I also found it difficult to drive for long periods of time. My general practitioner referred me to Mr Prakash and he undertook a knee arthroscopy.

I was quite shocked at the extent of the damage that was revealed and I had not really been expecting further treatment. Mr Prakash explained about autologous chondrocyte transplant.  I felt very much that it was a joint decision and that all the pros and cons were fully explained. It was made clear that doing nothing was not an option otherwise I would be facing a definite future of arthritis and pain. The immediate six weeks after the op was difficult as I think I had underestimated quite how hard it was being on crutches and having no weight on the right leg. Physiotherapy was hard work initially and getting the muscle tone back in my quads took some time. However, Mr Prakash had warned me about the extent of the muscle wastage that I could expect. I was on count down to the day that I could put weight on the foot and that felt like a milestone had been achieved. The procedure has made a massive difference to my life.  It felt like I wasn’t making progress for a few weeks and then suddenly I’d realise that I could do something again and it was little things like being able to curl my legs up on the sofa and being able to kneel down that really kept me going.

I’ve been a keen walker and the previous year was struggling to walk a few miles.  Then I did Snowdon – up the Pyg Pass and down the Llanberis Pass. Getting to the top, albeit slowly, was quite emotional as I realised how far my knee had come – 12 months previously I wouldn’t have been able to even contemplate that.

I am back walking and have found new walking groups. I’m now in the Peak District most weekends and I am planning a 26-mile sponsored walk for Help the Heroes. Driving is no longer a problem so that has made getting around much easier. I’m also going to have a go at doing some cycling and may invest in a bike sometime soon.  To sum up, I’m back to the levels of activity I was previously and don’t miss the gym one bit! In essence, I would encourage those patients who are suitable for this procedure to go for it.  Mr Prakash tells you it is not a quick recovery and that is true, but it totally worthwhile. I would totally recommend Mr Prakash. He understood my concerns, answered all the questions and at all times I felt it was a joint decision. He concentrated not just on my knee but on my lifestyle and what I wanted to achieve. I can only say a very big thank you to Mr Prakash!

– Emma Wharton, Birmingham, UK