This often results in pain and a limited range of motion. In recent years, three new techniques have been developed aiming to restore articular cartilage. Although no long-term studies have yet been conducted to study their efficacy, these techniques show a lot of promise.
Osteochondral grafting — healthy bone and cartilage are harvested together from one area of your body and transplanted to your knee.Autologous chondrocyte implantation — healthy cartilage alone is harvested from one area of your body and transplanted to your knee.
Mesenchymal stem cell regeneration — in your body you have undifferentiated stem cells, or cells that have not yet become cells of a particular type (i.e.- blood). These stem cells can be harvested and grown in a medium that encourages bone cell differentiation and transplanted to your knee, where they develop into cartilage.