Knee Cartilage Injury & Joint Preservation | Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, MI

Cartilage Injury & Joint Preservation in Auburn Hills & Rochester Hills, MI

Articular cartilage is the smooth, slippery surface that covers the ends of the bones in a joint. When it is damaged by an injury, it does not heal well on its own and can lead to pain, swelling and, over time, arthritis. Joint preservation focuses on protecting and restoring your own joint, especially in younger and active patients.

Symptoms

Pain with activity, especially stairs, squatting or running
Swelling after activity
Catching or grinding

Diagnosis

An MRI shows the size and location of cartilage damage. Dr. Prince also looks for causes that need to be addressed, such as ligament instability, meniscus tears or alignment problems.

Treatment Options

Physical therapy, weight management and activity changes
Injections to calm inflammation
Arthroscopic debridement to smooth damaged cartilage
Cartilage restoration procedures to stimulate repair or replace the damaged area, when appropriate
Treating the underlying cause, such as ligament or meniscus injuries

Why It Matters

Mayo Clinic research co-authored by Dr. Prince found that patients with cartilage damage or combined meniscus tears at the time of knee ligament reconstruction had lower outcome scores years later. Protecting cartilage and the meniscus is a priority in every knee he treats.

Why Choose Dr. Prince?

Fellowship-trained in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon; team physician for the U.S. Ski Team
Published research on complex knee ligament reconstruction
4.8-star patient ratings on Google, Birdeye and Vitals

Cartilage Injury & Joint Preservation FAQs

Can damaged cartilage grow back?

Cartilage has very limited ability to heal. Some procedures stimulate repair tissue or transplant cartilage, and the right option depends on the size, location and cause of the damage.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Dr. Prince will recommend a plan based on your exam, imaging and goals.