Cartilage Grafting

Cartilage grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged cartilage with healthy cartilage from a non-weight bearing joint. Cartilage grafting is performed to correct joint deformities and restore the weight-bearing capability of the affected joint.

Cartilage grafting is indicated in patients with articular cartilage damage in the joint to restore normal functioning of the joint.

Articular or hyaline cartilage is the tissue lining the surface of the two bones in the joint. Cartilage helps the bones move smoothly against each other and can withstand the pressure of activities such as running and jumping. Articular cartilage does not have a direct blood supply so it has less capacity to repair itself. Once the cartilage is torn it will not heal easily and can lead to degeneration of the articular surface, also called osteoarthritis.

The damage in articular cartilage can affect people of all ages. It can be damaged either by trauma such as accidents, mechanical injury such as a fall, or from degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) occurring in older people.

Patients with articular cartilage damage experience symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and a decrease in range of motion of the affected joint.

Grafting methods

Cartilage grafting can be performed using various techniques depending on your particular situation and your surgeon’s preference.

Periosteal Grafting

This technique is performed in patients with large areas of cartilage damage in the joint. Periosteal grafts are taken from tissues lining the outer surface of bones in a non-weight bearing area of the joint.

In this procedure, the damaged cartilage is removed and multiples holes are created in the bone to stimulate bleeding. The periosteal grafts are then attached to the subchondral bone with the help of sutures and glue.

The periosteum cells provide growth factors to produce cartilage in the damaged area.

Perichondral Grafting

Perichondral grafting technique is similar to periosteal grafting but the graft is harvested from the lower part of the rib along with its chondrogenic layer. The procedure can be performed using minimally invasive technique or open surgery.

Once harvested, the perichondral grafts are fixed to the subchondral bone with the help of fibrin glue. This method also helps in regeneration of cartilage in the damaged area.

Osteochondral Autograft or Mosaicplasty

This grafting technique is indicated in patients whose articular cartilage damage is less than 2 cm in diameter. In this procedure, the hyaline cartilage is harvested from a non-weight bearing joint of the same individual (autograft) and transplanted in a mosaic pattern to the damaged area. The cells in the articular cartilage grow in the damaged area to promote healing. This procedure can be carried out arthroscopically or through open surgery.

Osteochondral Allograft

This procedure is similar to osteochondral autograft but the graft is harvested from a donor (allograft) and transplanted to the damaged area. The graft is held to the damaged area with the help of two metal screws or pins.

The main disadvantage of this method is limited availability of donor grafts. The allografts that are harvested are larger than the autografts but can be shaped to fit the area of defect.

This procedure is not recommended for patients with osteoarthritis.

Articular Cartilage Paste Grafting

In this technique, multiple holes are created in the bone to induce bleeding. The articular cartilage graft is harvested from the patient’s intercondylar notch at the center of the joint. The graft is grounded with subchondral bone to make a paste which is transplanted to the damaged area. This method helps in re-growth of cartilage and provides better pain relief compared to all other grafting procedures.

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)

ACI is commonly performed in patients with large cartilage defects. In this procedure, healthy cartilage cells are harvested arthroscopically from a non-weight bearing part of the joint and grown in a laboratory for about 4 to 6 weeks.

The periosteal graft is harvested from the thick tissue of the tibia or shin bone using an arthroscope through a tiny incision.

The next part of the surgery is done through a laser, open incision. Your surgeon sews the graft over the damaged cartilage and the cultured cartilage cells from the lab are injected under the graft to allow new bone cells to grow. The cultured cartilage cells will repair and replace the damaged cartilage.

The advantage of this procedure is that the harvested cells are taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) lessening any risk of transplant rejection.

Post-operative care

After cartilage grafting surgery your doctor will recommend certain measures for you to follow to promote healing and return to normal function:

Wearing a brace – A brace is applied to immobilize the operated joint and promote healing.

Participating in rehabilitation – Physiotherapists will instruct you in performing various exercises to strengthen your affected joint muscles and restore movement to the operated joint.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgery, cartilage grafting is associated with certain risks and complications.

Graft delamination –Detachment of the grafts from the subchondral bone and the surrounding cartilage.
Allergic response, transfer of disease and infection, and graft rejection in allograft transplants
Injury to healthy cartilage

It is important to understand that cartilage restoration can improve symptoms in the short to medium term but more definitive surgery may be required in the future.

Damaged cartilage prevents your joint to carry out the normal functions. Cartilage grafting replaces the damaged cartilage and restores the normal functioning of the joint.

Discuss with your doctor and know more on various cartilage grafting techniques.