Diagnosis and treatment of cartilage damage in the knee
The diagnosis of cartilage damage in the knee begins with a thorough clinical examination and is supplemented by modern imaging techniques such as MRI and X-ray to determine the severity and exact location of the damage.
Cartilage damage often occurs due to overuse, injuries, or age-related wear and tear and can appear in various forms — from superficial cartilage tears to deep defects affecting the underlying bone.
Both conservative and surgical methods are available for the treatment of cartilage damage in the knee. Conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, hyaluronic acid injections, and autologous blood treatment (ACP — Autologous Conditioned Plasma) aim to alleviate symptoms and stabilise the cartilage as much as possible. For advanced damage or insufficient success with conservative therapies, cartilage regeneration through surgical procedures is an option.
Why the AutoCart™ method is special:
- Minimally invasive access: Performed arthroscopically through small portals.
- Body's own tissue: Uses autologous components — no cartilage donor or transplant needed.
- Stable defect filling: Combined with a biological matrix for durable regeneration.
- Faster rehab: Less surgical trauma allows earlier physiotherapy.
- Preserves the joint: Aims to delay or avoid the need for joint replacement.
A particularly innovative and gentle method for cartilage reconstruction is the AutoCart™ technique, developed specifically for cartilage damage in the knee. This minimally invasive method uses the body's own tissue components to specifically rebuild the damaged cartilage without resorting to autologous cartilage transplantation. The AutoCart™ method promotes natural cartilage regeneration and offers the advantage of less stress on the surrounding tissue.