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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Viscosupplementation, joint fluid therapy and hyaluronan injections are synonymous terms. Viscosupplementation is a procedure that involves the injection of gel-like substances (hyaluronates) into a joint to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid.
