Do you have arthritis?  Has someone told you that you need surgery, possibly even joint replacement?

Like all medical conditions, arthritis can present with multiple symptoms. Patients with arthritis sometimes don’t get relief from nonsurgical therapies and they may be contemplating a joint replacement. Some of these patients may respond to the subchondroplasty procedure which could help preserve their natural joint.

What is Subchondroplasty?

Subchondroplasty is an outpatient, arthroscopically assisted, minimally invasive procedure that allows your surgeon to insert a thin tube through a tiny incision into the area of the bone injury.  A substance containing calcium phosphate is then injected into the lesion. The substance sets up and supports the injured bone and facilitates healing.

The goal of the subchondroplasty procedure is to stabilize the bone marrow injury and reduce or even eliminate pain generated from that injury.

Who might benefit from Subchondroplasty?

The hallmark of osteoarthritis is progressive, unrelenting wear of the articular cartilage in a joint that, when healthy, shields the underlying bone from excessive loads that can result in painful bone marrow injuries. When worn or absent, the underlying subchondral bone is exposed to repetitive forces that can produce painful bone marrow injuries.  Most commonly, this problem occurs in the knee, however it can occur in other joints as well, such as the shoulder, hip or ankle.

Is It Right for You?

Subchondroplasty is an effective outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that can treat painful bone injuries.

If you think you may be a candidate, contact us to schedule an appointment.