January 15th, 2015
Treatment for Cartilage Injuries in Chester County
Many people know that cartilage is an important part of our anatomy. However, fewer know the extent of its significance in our day to day activities. It isn’t until an injury occurs and cartilage does not provide the cushion, support, or shape it used to that many patients discover just how vital cartilage is. At Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, we want to share our experience of treating cartilage injuries in Chester County to help patients better understand their bodies, conditions, and road to recovery.
There are three distinct types of cartilage. Fibrocartilage makes up vertebral disks and the lateral and medial menisci in the knees. Hyaline cartilage covers joint surfaces to allow for easy movement. Elastic cartilage provides shape to body parts like the ears and nose. Each of these types of cartilage are strong and pliable, although they vary in their makeup and function.
Any of these three types can be subject to cartilage injuries in Chester County. In patients with good overall health, these injuries tend to be mechanical in nature. The impact of a car accident or a sudden twist in an athletic competition might rip or tear at the cartilage. In other patients, cartilage can become degenerate over time, its elasticity becoming compromised as the cartilage softens and fragments. In either of these cases, the resulting injury, can manifest symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.
If you or someone you love has experienced one or more cartilage injuries in Chester County, it is important to know that help is available. Patients do not need to continually suffer from the pain, swelling, and instability of cartilage injuries. In mild cases, non-operative treatments might initially be used, including medication, physical therapy, and adjustment of activities. However, if symptoms do not improve, the injury may be treated through surgery. Arthroscopy may be used to smooth the cartilage which has been torn or scarred. In other cases, transplants or even joint replacement procedures can be effective treatment options.
Whether you are seeking treatment for cartilage injuries in Chester County for the first time or you have tried other treatments to no avail, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute can help. Our doctors, therapists, and surgeons are all highly experienced orthopaedic experts, each specializing in a particular area. So, whether you have injured the cartilage in your knee joint or suffer from arthritis in your hip, there are specialists available who have the knowledge and experience to address your unique situation. For more information, call us today at 1-800-321-9999.