Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones in joints, enabling nearly frictionless movement. When damaged by trauma, repetitive stress, or degeneration, the result is pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms that limit activity. Unlike bone, cartilage has minimal healing capacity — making expert, timely treatment critical.
Dr. Joe Cooper, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon in Beverly Hills and Brentwood, specializes in cartilage preservation and restoration using the latest techniques.
Types of Cartilage Injuries
- Focal chondral defects: Isolated surface damage, often from sports or trauma
- Osteochondral defects: Damage extending into underlying bone (e.g., osteochondritis dissecans)
- Diffuse degeneration: Widespread loss, as in osteoarthritis
Symptoms
- Deep joint pain worsened by activity
- Swelling and stiffness
- Catching, clicking, or locking of the joint
- Weakness and instability
Treatment Options
- Microfracture: Stimulates marrow-derived repair tissue for smaller defects
- ACI (Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation): Uses the patient's own cartilage cells to regenerate tissue
- Osteochondral grafts (OATS/OCA): Transfers healthy cartilage plugs to fill the defect
- Biologic injections: PRP to reduce inflammation and support healing
Contact Dr. Cooper
Contact our Beverly Hills or Brentwood office to discuss cartilage treatment options.
