Cartilage, the protective surface that covers the ends of our bones, helps our joints move smoothly and without pain. Cartilage may become damaged with age, wear and tear, or injury. This wearing away of the cartilage surface and the associated symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling is known as arthritis. Currently, there are limited options to address the early stages of arthritis when the cartilage wear is diffuse (wide spread) on the joint surface. Arthroscopic procedures can clean up the torn, worn out edges of the cartilage, and treat limited areas of cartilage damage to successfully improve symptoms and function.
Arthroscopic images of healthy cartilage (left) and cartilage damage after debridement (right).
Contraindications to Surgery
- Infection
- Inability or unwillingness to complete an appropriate postoperative rehabilitation program
- Diffuse, advanced arthritis (damaged cartilage) of the shoulder without mechanical symptoms