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Cartilage Injuries

Hip Cartilage Injuries Surgical Treatments

When nonsurgical treatments do not relieve hip pain or if patients are experiencing catching or locking of the hip joint, then it is reasonable to consider the more definitive treatment option of surgery.

The goal of surgery is to improve symptoms and restore function. In the past decade, there have been significant advancements in the surgical treatment of cartilage defects. Cartilage restoration is one of Dr. Chahla’s areas of expertise and aims at restoring the articular surface in young, active patients.

Surgery for a cartilage defect typically involves one of the following:

Allografts from a donor (osteochondral allograft) are designed to treat all lesion sizes. This procedure is best for active patients with localized but large defects. These grafts are harvested from a donor and the fresh graft is implanted into the lesion. Survival rates have been reported to be excellent even at 10 years. In most cases of focal cartilage defects requiring surgical intervention, this is Dr. Chahla’s preferred surgical option.

A procedure to create a controlled injury to the bone that will stimulate the bone to create a product similar to cartilage, called fibrocartilage. Fibrocartilage is not as good as articular cartilage but can improve symptoms in certain patients. During a microfracture, tiny holes are made in the bone causing it to bleed, sending bone marrow into the defect to grow new fibrocartilage. Microfracture can be used for patients with limited small cartilage injuries, who are active and desire to return to activity.

When hip cartilage damage is significant, surgical procedures may be required to restore joint integrity and relieve pain. Techniques such as hip arthroscopy for labral repair, microfracture, and cartilage transplantation can help regenerate cartilage and improve hip function. Dr. Jorge Chahla is an expert in hip preservation and cartilage restoration surgery, using minimally invasive procedures to optimize outcomes. If you need surgical intervention for hip cartilage injuries, schedule an appointment with Dr. Chahla in Chicago, Naperville, or Oak Brook to explore your treatment options.

At a Glance

Dr. Jorge Chahla

  • Triple fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon
  • Performs over 700 surgeries per year
  • Associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Rush University
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