Understanding Cartilage and Its Damage
Cartilage is a smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints. It helps joints move easily by providing a smooth, friction-free surface. Unlike bones or muscles, cartilage has very limited ability to heal when damaged. Over time, injury or wear and tear of cartilage can lead to arthritis.

Thanks to advances in joint preservation and biotechnology, there are now better ways to help cartilage heal and restore joint function.

Cartilage injuries can vary from mild softening to cracks, thinning, or even complete loss of cartilage. Some injuries also involve damage to the underlying bone (osteochondral defects).

Treatment Options for Cartilage Injury at SV Ortho Care
Dr. VijayKumar D and his team offer a range of treatments to repair cartilage depending on the severity and type of injury:

Personalized rehabilitation exercises

Minimally invasive arthroscopic fixation

Open surgery to fix cartilage damage

Techniques like retro-articular drilling to stimulate healing

Advanced arthroscopic methods like radiofrequency co-ablation and micro drilling

Osteochondral transfer (transplanting healthy cartilage and bone)

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (growing your own cartilage cells in the lab and implanting them)

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate therapy

Implantation of autologous cartilage particles

The best treatment plan is tailored after a careful evaluation by Dr. VijayKumar D at SV Ortho Care.

What is Cartilage and Why Does It Matter?
Cartilage acts like a cushion between bones in joints, helping them glide smoothly without pain. It’s flexible but tough, protecting the bones and absorbing shocks during movement.

When cartilage is damaged, it cannot heal well because it has poor blood supply. This causes bones to rub against each other, resulting in joint pain and stiffness.

While knee joints are most commonly affected, cartilage damage can also occur in shoulders, ankles, and other joints.

Signs You Might Have Cartilage Damage
Persistent joint pain, even at rest

Swelling around the joint

Stiffness and limited motion

Grinding or clicking noises when moving the joint

Difficulty with activities like climbing stairs

How Cartilage Damage Progresses
Early stages (I & II): Cartilage softens and starts breaking down. The body tries to repair it with weaker fibrous cartilage, which isn’t as strong.

Middle stages (III): Damage worsens, causing more pain and difficulty in movement.

Advanced stage (IV): Severe cartilage loss leads to arthritis, often requiring joint replacement surgery.

Damaged cartilage reduces mobility and may make everyday activities difficult, which can negatively affect overall health.

Regrow Cartilage Cell Therapy: A Modern Solution at SV Ortho Care
Since cartilage doesn’t heal easily, special treatments like Regrow Cartilage Cell Therapy are used to regenerate damaged cartilage using the patient’s own cells.

This therapy involves:

Taking a small sample of healthy cartilage from the patient.

Growing and multiplying these cells in the lab.

Implanting the new cells into the damaged area to promote natural cartilage growth.

Benefits of Regrow Cartilage Cell Therapy
Uses your own cells for natural healing

Avoids major surgeries like total knee replacement

Helps reduce pain and improves joint function

Proven long-term success, with many patients treated successfully

Shorter recovery time and better quality of life

Over 600 patients have benefitted from this advanced therapy at SV Ortho Care under the care of Dr. VijayKumar D.