About Cartilage Repair
Key Highlights
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Preserves growing joints and prevents early-onset arthritis.Utilizes the child's natural healing and regenerative potential.Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques often reduce scarring and recovery time.Restores pain-free motion and function for sports and daily activities.Tailored to the unique anatomy and growth plates of pediatric patients.
Who is this surgery for?
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A condition where a fragment of bone and cartilage loosens from the joint surface.
- Traumatic cartilage injuries from sports, falls, or accidents.
- Symptomatic chondral or osteochondral defects causing pain, swelling, or locking of the joint.
- Congenital or developmental cartilage abnormalities.
- Failed conservative treatment (rest, physical therapy) for persistent joint symptoms.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation including physical exam, X-rays, and often an MRI to assess the defect size and location.
- Discussion of the child's medical history, activity levels, and surgical goals with the pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
- Pre-operative tests (blood work) as required by the hospital or surgical center.
- Instructions on fasting (no food or drink) for a specified period before surgery.
- Arranging for post-operative support at home, including crutches or a brace if needed.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site or within the joint.
- Bleeding, bruising, or blood clots (deep vein thrombosis).
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the joint.
- Graft failure, incomplete healing, or persistent pain.
- Damage to surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or growth plates (physeal injury).
- Need for additional surgery in the future.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial period of rest, elevation, and ice application to control swelling and pain.
- Use of crutches and a brace or immobilizer for several weeks to protect the healing joint.
- Structured physical therapy is essential to regain strength, flexibility, and proper movement patterns.
- Gradual return to weight-bearing and low-impact activities as guided by the surgeon and therapist.
- Full return to sports and high-impact activities may take 6 to 12 months, depending on the procedure and healing.
- Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing progress via imaging and clinical exams.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 months for full return to sports
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cartilage repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cartilage repair. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cartilage repair compare across other countries where we have data.
Arjun Williams is a 14-year-old soccer...
Arjun Williams is a 14-year-old soccer player from a small town, known for his dedication and team spirit. During a championship game, he twisted his knee badly while pivoting, feeling a sharp pop. Despite initial rest, his knee remained painful, swollen, and would 'catch' or give way during simple activities, forcing him to sit out the season. An MRI revealed a significant chondral defect on his femoral condyle. His pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Evans, recommended an Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) procedure. He explained it would use Arjun's own cartilage cells to repair the damage and give him the best chance to return to sports. The two-stage procedure was daunting, involving an initial arthroscopy to harvest cells and, weeks later, the implantation surgery. Recovery was a long, disciplined process of non-weight bearing and intensive physical therapy. A year later, Arjun has regained full strength and stability. He's back to light training, with hopes of rejoining his team next season. Emotionally, he went from the devastation of losing his athletic identity to finding resilience. The slow recovery taught him patience, and the successful outcome has filled him with a profound sense of gratitude and a more mature perspective on his passion for soccer.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Cartilage Repair
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform cartilage repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata