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Which specialist treats supraspinatus tendinopathySupraspinatus tendinopathy follows a treatment pathway where specialist selection depends on how long symptoms have persisted and whether the tendon is structurally intact: specialist MSK physiotherapy is the first contact for most patients, surgery becomes relevant only when conservative care fails or imaging reveals substantial structural damage.Supraspinatus tendinopathy follows a treatment pathway where specialist selection depends on how long symptoms have persisted and whether the tendon is structurally intact: specialist MSK physiotherapy is the first contact for most patients, surgery becomes relevant only when conservative care fails or imaging reveals substantial structural damage.
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Knee cartilage repair versus stem cell therapyEstablished cartilage repair using autologous chondrocytes shows 10–17 year durability for focal knee defects; mesenchymal stem cell therapies have not been tested in large-scale trials against them.Established cartilage repair using autologous chondrocytes shows 10–17 year durability for focal knee defects; mesenchymal stem cell therapies have not been tested in large-scale trials against them.
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Knee cartilage damage left untreated and when repair helpsCartilage lacks blood vessels, nerve fibres, and lymph channels, so repair cells cannot reach injuries and pain does not warn of damage, allowing lesions to expand silently until they become clinically serious.Cartilage lacks blood vessels, nerve fibres, and lymph channels, so repair cells cannot reach injuries and pain does not warn of damage, allowing lesions to expand silently until they become clinically serious.
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ChondroFiller™ durability compared with ArthrosamidChondroFiller™ recruits the patient's own progenitor cells to build new cartilage tissue within a collagen scaffold. Three-year published follow-up shows mean IKDC scores of 80 — a 32.4-point improvement from baseline — with durability reported to extend beyond five years.ChondroFiller™ recruits the patient's own progenitor cells to build new cartilage tissue within a collagen scaffold. Three-year published follow-up shows mean IKDC scores of 80 — a 32.4-point improvement from baseline — with durability reported to extend beyond five years.
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Which specialist treats sciaticaAdults with uncomplicated sciatica in many NHS areas can self-refer directly to musculoskeletal physiotherapy without a GP appointment; most cases are diagnosed through clinical examination, not imaging.Adults with uncomplicated sciatica in many NHS areas can self-refer directly to musculoskeletal physiotherapy without a GP appointment; most cases are diagnosed through clinical examination, not imaging.
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Early signs of hip osteoarthritisHip osteoarthritis typically begins with a deep ache in the groin or front of the thigh that builds during weight-bearing and settles with rest, often fleeting enough to dismiss as muscle tension or general wear.Hip osteoarthritis typically begins with a deep ache in the groin or front of the thigh that builds during weight-bearing and settles with rest, often fleeting enough to dismiss as muscle tension or general wear.
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OATS Mosaicplasty Knee Recovery TimelineFull recovery from OATS mosaicplasty spans 6–12 months, extending to 12–18 months for competitive sport, because transplanted bone-and-cartilage plugs require time for biological integration and graft maturation.Full recovery from OATS mosaicplasty spans 6–12 months, extending to 12–18 months for competitive sport, because transplanted bone-and-cartilage plugs require time for biological integration and graft maturation.
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Ten-Year Success Rates for OATS MosaicplastyTen-year success rates for OATS mosaicplasty span 72–89% in young, active patients; failure rates drop to 12.5–14% in optimal candidates (under 40, lesion under 3 cm²) but rise to 38–40% in older patients with larger defects.Ten-year success rates for OATS mosaicplasty span 72–89% in young, active patients; failure rates drop to 12.5–14% in optimal candidates (under 40, lesion under 3 cm²) but rise to 38–40% in older patients with larger defects.
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ChondroFiller injection for knee cartilage defectsThe injected collagen scaffold gels in place and recruits the body's own progenitor cells to repair the cartilage defect without surgery or general anaesthetic. Functional scores improve from 48 to 80 on the IKDC scale over three years in independent European cohorts, with most of that improvement within six months.The injected collagen scaffold gels in place and recruits the body's own progenitor cells to repair the cartilage defect without surgery or general anaesthetic. Functional scores improve from 48 to 80 on the IKDC scale over three years in independent European cohorts, with most of that improvement within six months.
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Who qualifies for MACI knee surgery?Patients aged 18–55 with deep focal cartilage damage (Grade III-IV, >2 cm²) qualify for MACI if their knees are structurally sound—stable ligaments, correct alignment, no generalised osteoarthritis—and conservative treatment has failed. The procedure is two-stage, with extended rehabilitation required.Patients aged 18–55 with deep focal cartilage damage (Grade III-IV, >2 cm²) qualify for MACI if their knees are structurally sound—stable ligaments, correct alignment, no generalised osteoarthritis—and conservative treatment has failed. The procedure is two-stage, with extended rehabilitation required.
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Cartilage specialist or general orthopaedic surgeon for a knee defectKnee cartilage repair without correcting underlying malalignment results in reoperation in 47.4% of cases, versus 17.3% when alignment is corrected simultaneously — a surgical integration that general orthopaedic surgeons often omit from initial assessment and planning.Knee cartilage repair without correcting underlying malalignment results in reoperation in 47.4% of cases, versus 17.3% when alignment is corrected simultaneously — a surgical integration that general orthopaedic surgeons often omit from initial assessment and planning.
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Which specialist to see for persistent back painMost persistent back pain has no identifiable structural cause; the sequence of specialists seen shapes whether pain resolves or unnecessary surgery ensues.Most persistent back pain has no identifiable structural cause; the sequence of specialists seen shapes whether pain resolves or unnecessary surgery ensues.
