The end stage of cartilage injury, or degeneration, is arthritis. Many patients suffer for years with arthritis that limits even the simplest activities. For these patients, current cartilage restoration procedures may not apply. These patients have a diffuse (spread out) involvement of cartilage degeneration as opposed to focal (central) injury.

Joint replacement, not restoration, procedures are recommended when patients have developed established arthritis. Seacoast Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provides the entire spectrum of care for knee cartilage injury and offers a number of joint replacement options. Please see our joint replacement section osteoarthritis section for more information.