Cartilage is a flexible and firm connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the bones from rubbing against each other during movement. If you experience joint pain and swelling, the inability to fully extend or bend a joint, a popping, crackling, or grating sound, and a catching sensation when you move a joint, the cartilage could be damaged. Prompt Scottsdale cartilage repair is essential whenever you are hurt or suspect your cartilage is injured since the cartilage tissue hardly recovers on its own because they do not have blood vessels. As such, if you leave it unrepaired, you are likely to experience significant problems over time. Among the benefit of prompt cartilage restorations includes:
Osteoarthritis prevention
Untreated cartilage continues to deteriorate, and as it takes more damage, it can’t cushion your joints and ends of the bones. Besides the pain, swelling, and other unpleasant symptoms, the damage extends to the bones and joints as they are not adequately cushioned. This results in osteoarthritis as the bone starts to change. Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis form, also known as degenerative joint disease. It is characterized by joint pain, commonly in the lower back, hips, knees, hands, and neck, which can be incapacitating. Prompt cartilage restoration slows the wear, allowing you to avoid such complications.
Avoid or delay major surgery
Cartilage repair may involve a form of surgery like OATS. This entails taking healthy cartilage from the non-weight-bearing part of your joint and transplanting it into the damaged part. This means you leverage your tissue’s ability to heal, which can offer a reliable and lasting solution. The restoration ensures that your joints don’t incur significant damage and that you would need joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement is major surgery, and while it can improve the quality of your life, it comes with more risks than cartilage repair.
Help you return to normal activities
Age-related wear and tear or sudden or acute injuries common in sports are the main causes of cartilage damage. The pain and swelling can sideline you from sporting activities, derail your measures to lead a physically active lifestyle, and, when severe, interfere with your ability to manage daily activities. Even a minor cartilage problem can take longer to quiet down, impacting the quality of your life. Cartilage restoration can speed up the process and allow you to return to your normal active lifestyle.
Minimize medication reliance
Cartilage damage could force you to take measures such as reliance on pain relievers to manage the symptoms. This could be long-term since the cartilage is unlikely to heal on its own for the symptoms to subside. The reliance on such medicine exposes you to more health threats. You may also consider injections, commonly used in arthritis cases, to help lubricate the joints. While effective, they don’t offer long-term compared to cartilage repair.
The health of your joints should not be overlooked since they facilitate movement and most of our daily activities. Prompt cartilage repair can help you avoid significant joint and bone problems down the line, making it easier to lead an active and healthier lifestyle. Contact AZ Ortho today for more on cartilage repair and available options.