Cartilage is your body’s primary connective tissue, and one of its most vital. One of the main roles it plays is as a connector in all of your joints, from the wrists and elbows to the ankles and knees. Cartilage is flexible and strong, but any number of traumas or conditions can cause it to tear. In some cases, that tear shows multiple patterns, and will be considered “complex.” Complex cartilage tears are notoriously difficult to treat, but new, cutting-edge techniques have opened the doors for doctors to repair damaged cartilage and help patients recover their full functionality.
Dr Vonda Wright, MD, MS, FAOA is a double-board certified orthopedic sports medicine doctor who is experienced in treating even the most serious complex cartilage injuries, including those that require cartilage restoration surgery. Dr. Wright takes a comprehensive approach to musculoskeletal wellness that harnesses innovative surgical and orthobiologic techniques, and she is passionate about staying on the forefront of biotech to help her patients achieve the best outcomes possible.
If you’re ready to receive state-of-the-art care from one of the top orthopedic specialists in the nation, it’s time to schedule a visit with Dr. Wright. Click below and use our online scheduling tool to request your first appointment today.
Osteochondral defects, or osteochondral lesions, occur when cartilage that is attached to the bones of a joint becomes torn or otherwise damaged. In a case of osteochondral defect, ankles and knees are the most commonly affected joint, though the cartilage of any joint can be damaged in this way. When they affect the knee, osteochondral defects often happen between the thigh bone and the shin bone, whereas in the ankle, these defects often happen on the talus bone where your foot meets your leg.
Many osteochondral defects begin with a smaller injury, such as a strain or sprain. Symptoms of a serious osteochondral defect include:
Osteochondral defect treatment generally involves a surgical procedure that is designed to repair, restore, or even replace the damaged cartilage. As part of her practice, Dr. Wright is interested in offering her patients the least invasive, most technologically forward techniques available, several of which involve the use of orthobiologics
Yes! Orthobiologics is an exciting field of biotech that may offer patients less invasive procedures and better outcomes than traditional surgical solutions. Dr. Wright can employ orthobiologic techniques such as platelet-rich plasma injections, TenJet, and MACI to help patients recover from complex cartilage injuries.
MACI surgery stands for Matrix-induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation, and Dr. Wright typically employs it to treat complex cartilage injuries in the knee. Here’s how MACI knee surgery works:
By using your own cartilage cells to grow a healthy implant, MACI helps reduce the likelihood that your body will reject the implant, and accelerates the recovery process.
One of the most dangerous aspects of a complex cartilage injury is the fact that without treatment, it can become progressively worse. The longer a complex cartilage tear or osteochondral defect goes untreated, the more difficult it will become to repair.
When you’re ready to find relief and return to peak performance in whatever you do, Dr. Vonda Wright is ready to help you meet your goals. Use our online tool to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Wright, or contact her Orlando office at (407) 965-4114.