Cartilage acts as the cushion between your bones. It prevents your bones from colliding when you walk, jump, or perform other movements involving your knee joints. Trauma to the cartilage can impair its ability to provide frictionless, smooth joint movement. For many, surgery acts as the most successful way to regenerate or replace the damaged cartilage with tissues from the patient’s body. But what if you are not ready for the surgical repair?
Whether the damage is trauma-related or due to wear and tear from aging, non-invasive knee cartilage repair treatment in Mumbai is possible and can be effective in restoring your range of motion and alleviating pain. Keep reading to learn about a few options we’ve explored for you.
Understanding Knee Cartilage
Cartilage is a soft, spongy, and flexible tissue. It plays an indispensable part in facilitating movement, protecting your joints, and absorbing shock. It’s located where the bones meet to prevent them from rubbing against each other as you move.
If the cartilage wears down, your bones will become stiff and inflamed. They are also highly likely to get damaged over time. Unfortunately, there’s no direct blood supply to the cartilage. This indicates that cartilage can’t repair itself. If it gets worn from aging or trauma to the joint, chances are you’ll have to undergo cartilage repair treatment to restore its function.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
While surgical intervention is necessary for cartilage injuries that reach the underlying bones, it may not always work for every patient. If you aren’t a good fit for surgical cartilage repair, your orthopedic doctor in Mumbai will explore other non-invasive treatment options. Here’s what may help.
a) Physical Therapy and Exercise Routines
Stretching and strengthening exercises can bring stability and flexibility to the knee joint, which may eventually restore your normal range of motion. Your therapist will start with low-impact exercises like walking and stationary biking to alleviate your pain and strengthen your knee joint.
Note that physical therapy doesn’t repair cartilage. It lessens the strain on the cartilage, which prevents further damage. Depending on the level of damage, you may need physical therapy for several weeks.
b) Dietary Supplements and Nutrition
Adding vital nutrients to your diet, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and collagen, can help in improving your joint health. You can also consider supplements that help in cartilage regeneration.
c) Advanced Regenerative Therapies
Modern science has invented many advanced regenerative therapies, which have shown remarkable results. Stem cell therapy is one such regenerative treatment for patients with damaged cartilage. It involves injecting stem cells from the patient’s body into the damaged area to repair cartilage. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is another effective treatment for patients with damaged cartilage. It involves injecting platelets, known for speeding up healing and regenerating damaged tissue, into the torn cartilage.
Benefits of Non-Surgical Approaches
Non-surgical approaches are non-invasive in nature, meaning they carry minimal risk of complications and do not require prolonged hospital stay. The above-mentioned therapies combined with lifestyle changes and diet plans can help improve your cartilage function, without putting you under a knife.
