Cartilage is the smooth, rubbery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet in the knee joint. It allows for frictionless movement, absorbs shock, and supports stability. When cartilage becomes damaged — due to injury, repetitive use, or degenerative disease — the result is pain, stiffness, and loss of motion that can progressively worsen over time.
Unlike other tissues in the body, cartilage does not heal on its own because it lacks direct blood supply. However, modern regenerative medicine now offers advanced options to restore damaged cartilage using your body’s own cells.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we proudly offer MACI (Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation), an FDA-approved regenerative procedure that repairs cartilage naturally by reimplanting a patient’s own cartilage cells to restore smooth joint surfaces. Patients across Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas turn to Dr. Burke for expertise in this innovative, minimally invasive therapy.
The knee joint relies on articular cartilage to cushion and protect the bones during movement. When this tissue is injured or worn down, the bones may rub directly against each other, leading to pain, swelling, and long-term degeneration.
Types of cartilage damage include:
- Focal defects: Localized injuries from trauma or sports.
- Degenerative thinning: Gradual wear due to aging or arthritis.
- Post-surgical or post-traumatic defects: Damage following knee injury or prior surgery.
Cartilage damage can affect anyone — from athletes who experience sudden injuries to adults developing age-related wear.
Cartilage damage can result from acute trauma or gradual breakdown over time.
Common causes include:
- Sports injuries such as twisting, pivoting, or impact
- Repetitive stress on the knee joint
- Obesity or excess body weight
- Poor joint alignment or instability
- Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis
- Previous knee surgeries or fractures
Risk factors include:
- High-impact activity or overtraining
- Aging and loss of cartilage elasticity
- Genetic predisposition to joint degeneration
- Weak surrounding muscles reducing joint support
Cartilage damage may not cause immediate pain but tends to worsen with time as the joint deteriorates.
Common symptoms include:
- Deep, aching pain inside the knee
- Swelling or stiffness after activity
- Clicking, grinding, or catching sensations
- Decreased range of motion
- Difficulty walking, bending, or squatting
- Episodes of the knee “locking” or “giving out”
Symptoms may mimic those of arthritis, so accurate diagnosis is key to determining the best treatment.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, performs a detailed evaluation to assess the extent of cartilage injury and identify the best course of treatment.
Diagnostic process includes:
- X-rays: Evaluate bone alignment and rule out arthritis.
- MRI: Provides detailed visualization of cartilage thickness and integrity.
- Imaging studies:
- X-rays: Reveal bone spurs, arthritis, or alignment issues.
- MRI: Detects cartilage loss, soft-tissue tears, or inflammation.
- A minimally invasive diagnostic tool that allows direct visualization of cartilage surfaces within the joint.
- MRI: Detects cartilage loss, soft-tissue tears, or inflammation.
Once cartilage loss or damage is confirmed, regenerative and surgical options can be planned to restore the joint surface.
Treatment depends on the size, depth, and location of the cartilage defect. Dr. Burke’s approach is centered on preserving natural joint tissue and promoting biological healing.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Activity modification: Reducing high-impact exercises and using low-impact alternatives such as swimming or cycling.
- Anti-inflammatory medications: Help reduce pain and swelling.
- Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee improves joint support and reduces load on the damaged cartilage.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections enhance natural tissue repair and may be used before or after regenerative procedures.
Surgical and Regenerative Treatments
When cartilage damage is extensive, regenerative techniques can restore the joint’s surface and function.
Dr. Burke offers advanced options including:
- A cutting-edge, FDA-approved procedure that uses your body’s own cartilage cells.
- Healthy cartilage is collected during an initial arthroscopic procedure.
- The cells are then multiplied in a lab and reimplanted into the damaged area on a bioabsorbable membrane.
- These cells integrate with the surrounding tissue to rebuild new, functional cartilage.
- Microfracture Technique: Stimulates the body’s natural healing response by creating small holes in the bone beneath the defect to promote cartilage regrowth.
- Microfracture Technique: Stimulates the body’s natural healing response by creating small holes in the bone beneath the defect to promote cartilage regrowth.
- Removes damaged cartilage fragments to smooth the joint surface and reduce irritation.
- May be needed for large or combined defects involving ligaments or bone.
These advanced methods promote long-term knee restoration while minimizing recovery time.
Recovery from cartilage repair varies based on the procedure and the extent of damage.
Typical recovery timelines:
- Conservative therapy: 6–8 weeks for pain reduction and improved flexibility.
- MACI procedure: 3–6 months of structured rehabilitation for new cartilage integration.
- Full activity: Often achieved by 6–9 months, depending on procedure type.
Rehabilitation goals:
- Protect the repaired area during early healing
- Gradually restore strength, stability, and range of motion
- Improve muscle support for long-term joint preservation
Dr. Burke’s team provides a customized therapy plan, ensuring safe recovery and durable results.
Cartilage restoration through MACI or related therapies offers excellent long-term outcomes. When combined with physical therapy and lifestyle management, patients often regain mobility and delay or avoid total joint replacement.
Preventive and maintenance strategies:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Use proper form and supportive footwear during exercise
- Engage in low-impact activities like swimming or cycling
- Address early knee pain before damage worsens
- Continue strengthening exercises even after recovery
Protecting your joints today helps ensure lasting mobility in the future.
You should seek orthopedic care if:
- Knee pain persists longer than a few weeks
- You feel stiffness, swelling, or catching sensations in the joint
- Pain worsens during activity or weight-bearing
- You’ve experienced a prior injury and symptoms have returned
- You wish to explore regenerative or surgical treatment options
Early diagnosis improves success rates for cartilage restoration and prevents further deterioration.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
If knee pain, stiffness, or grinding sensations are affecting your mobility, regenerative treatment could help restore your joint health.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in advanced cartilage restoration techniques, including MACI Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine, to help you move naturally and live pain-free again.
We proudly serve Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, offering state-of-the-art orthopedic care backed by decades of surgical and regenerative expertise.
Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and regenerative medicine specialist.
