Cartilage Reconstruction Procedures

Do you have joint pain? Millions of Americans do because of injury or the wear and tear of arthritis. At Potomac Podiatry Group in Woodbridge, Chantilly,  Sterling, or Crofton, MD your podiatrists evaluate cartilage problems in the ankles and offer restorative and reconstructive procedures to improve mobility and reduce pain. You may be a candidate for one of these innovative surgeries performed by  Dr. Vincent Bonini., Dr. Robert Toomey III,  Dr. Shruti Patel, Dr. Brittany Mayer, or Dr. Mark Dollard

No more pain

Sports injuries and simple aging cause all sorts of joint pain–knees, shoulders, ankles and more. At Potomac Podiatry Group, your foot and ankle surgeons understand the complexities of foot and ankle joints, and diagnose diseases and dysfunction with physical exam, symptoms and digital imaging techniques.

Because the ankle is a complex joint with a wide range of motion which bears the weight of the entire body, it can sustain a number of traumatic and wear and tear injuries. At Potomac Podiatry Group, your foot doctors use conservative therapies to heal ankle sprains, tendinitis, arthritis and more.

However, sometimes, ankle surgery is warranted. The goals are pain-free walking, proper gait, increased range of motion and more. Via arthroscope, your podiatrist can visualize, examine and treat ankle structures, including one of the most problematic sites–the articular, or hyaline, cartilage.

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is the smooth material that cushions joints, allowing them to operate easily. Unfortunately, cartilage is prone to excessive wear and tear. Today’s podiatric reconstructive surgeries repair and replace cartilage on the articular surfaces of long bones–that is, the surfaces which contact and rub against each other to facilitate movement.

Cartilage reconstruction procedures

To restore joint cartilage and optimize its performance, your podiatrist at Potomac Podiatry Group may recommend a cartilage reconstruction procedure. Done arthroscopically with small incisions or with an open technique (larger incision), these procedures are highly successful and restorative. They work particularly well with customized rehabilitative care and physical therapy, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Types of procedures include:

• Microfracture, drilling or abrasion which stimulates the bone to produce increased blood supply and healing
• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation which helps young patients grow new cartilage
• Osteochondral Autograft which transplants the patient’s own cartilage to the affected area
• Allografts transplant donor tissue from a cadaver to the affected area

Read a surgical case study