| As osteoarthritis continues to afflict more and more | | | | non-essential area — that is, the zone that does |
| Americans, sufferers turn to different treatments to | | | | not bear weight. The biopsy is then taken to a lab, |
| ease the pain and regain mobility. Although knee | | | | where it is cultured and grown into millions of |
| replacement surgery is considered the most effective | | | | cartilage cells. |
| and long-lasting treatment to knee pain, an advanced | | | | The cultured cells are then used to replace the |
| procedure is being pursued by some younger | | | | damaged knee cartilage, in a more-invasive surgical |
| patients: knee cartilage transplantation. | | | | procedure. Once the undeveloped cartilage cells have |
| Osteoarthritis causes the deterioration of the | | | | been re-inserted, a period of about three months is |
| cartilage in the knee. The cartilage serves as a load | | | | necessary for them to continue the healing process |
| bearing zone and allows for flexion of the joint. | | | | and replace the damaged area of the knee. |
| Unfortunately, cartilage has poor regenerative | | | | Younger patients are more suited for cartilage |
| qualities and, once afflicted by osteoarthritis, can | | | | transplants than older ones. Some doctors |
| degenerate quickly. Once osteoarthritis has | | | | recommend that the operation only be pursued by |
| progressed to an advanced stage, simple tasks such | | | | patients in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s, while older |
| as walking can prove very painful or even impossible. | | | | patients should consider either partial or total knee |
| In performing a cartilage transplant, doctors first | | | | replacement surgery. |
| must perform a biopsy. In this minor surgery, | | | | Patients should consult their doctor or specialist |
| surgeons take a sample of knee cartilage from the | | | | before undergoing any surgical treatment. |