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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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When Knee Alignment Must Come Before Cartilage RepairCartilage repair fails in a varus knee because the weight-bearing line runs through the damaged medial compartment instead of the joint's centre. High tibial osteotomy redirects that line toward the centre; expert guidance mandates combined surgery above 3° varus and forbids isolated repair beyond 5°.Cartilage repair fails in a varus knee because the weight-bearing line runs through the damaged medial compartment instead of the joint's centre. High tibial osteotomy redirects that line toward the centre; expert guidance mandates combined surgery above 3° varus and forbids isolated repair beyond 5°.
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Who benefits from an unloader knee braceUnloader braces use three-point pressure to shift load away from damaged cartilage. They work only for single-compartment osteoarthritis, and success depends more on professional fitting and follow-up than the device itself.Unloader braces use three-point pressure to shift load away from damaged cartilage. They work only for single-compartment osteoarthritis, and success depends more on professional fitting and follow-up than the device itself.
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High tibial osteotomy recovery and joint preservationHigh tibial osteotomy shifts load away from a damaged knee compartment and is best suited to younger, active patients with correctable medial osteoarthritis. Recovery takes months, full weight bearing depends on fixation and healing, and long-term success is strongest when arthritis remains localised.High tibial osteotomy shifts load away from a damaged knee compartment and is best suited to younger, active patients with correctable medial osteoarthritis. Recovery takes months, full weight bearing depends on fixation and healing, and long-term success is strongest when arthritis remains localised.
