Arthritis is a common condition. So common in fact that everyone over the age of 50 has some degree of arthritis. Sometimes, it doesn’t cause pain or disrupt a person’s life. Other times it significantly does both things. While arthritis can affect any joint, it frequently affects the knees, leading to discomfort and difficulty with mobility issues. Where there is arthritis, there is usually cartilage damage. The MACI implant procedure was developed specifically for the treatment of cartilage damage in the knee. Understanding all the causes and symptoms of arthritis is crucial for managing and treating the condition effectively.

What are the causes and symptoms of arthritis?

Besides cartilage damage, there are quite a few other causes of arthritis. There are more than 150 types of arthritis. Sometimes, the cause is not known. In other cases, the cause depends on the type of arthritis that is affecting you. Osteoarthritis is the most common form, which is a normal wear and tear of the joints and their surrounding structures. Other types are gout, caused by elevated uric acid in the blood, or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Other times, viral infections or traumatic injuries can trigger arthritis,

The symptoms across all types will be similar, but there will be individual differences. The common symptoms are:

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Reduced range of motion or interruption in the smoothness of movement
• Skin discoloration
• Sensitivity to touch around a joint
• Heat or warmth

What Happens if Arthritis is Left Untreated

When arthritis is left untreated or ignored, it usually gets worse. Significant joint damage can occur from inflammation and wear and tear on the joint surfaces. This can lead to severe pain, stiffness, and loss of function.

Untreated arthritis can lead to joint deformities, making it increasingly difficult to remain active. Also, untreated arthritis can have a domino effect and lead to other orthopedic issues. For example, you may unknowingly be compensating for knee pain by alerting your gait. Then perhaps your back or hips will start hurting due to the extra stress placed on them. Hopefully, this example highlights the importance of seeking treatment promptly. 

Arthritis Treatment at Dr. Burke Orthopedics

At our practice, patients with arthritis can choose from a variety of advanced treatment options. One innovative treatment offered is the MACI implant procedure. MACI stands for Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation. The MACI procedure is a particularly effective treatment option for people affected by arthritis in the knee.  

The MACI procedure involves extracting healthy cartilage cells from the patient’s own knee. These cells are then specially treated and encouraged to reproduce in a laboratory. The newly grown cells are used to create a MACI implant, which is then surgically placed into the knee, covering, or replacing the area of damage. This approach addresses the root cause of knee pain when the culprit is localized cartilage damage, as it often is.

In addition to the MACI procedure, Dr. Burke Orthopedics provides a lot of more conservative, non-surgical treatment options such as referral to physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle recommendations.

When conservative treatment has been attempted and failed to relieve your discomfort, you may consider other surgical treatment besides MACI. These options range from range from arthroscopic surgery to remove damaged tissue, loose bodies, and clean up the area to total joint replacement for more severe cases. The orthopedic team at Dr. Burke Orthopedics is waiting to hear from you! Give us a call and schedule a consultation at (713) 436-3488.