Torrance Orthopedic Surgery Overview

Overview

  • Overview
Shoulder Surgery Torrance

Shoulder

  • Shoulder
 Hip Surgery Torrance

Hip

  • Hip
 Knee Surgery Torrance

Knee

  • Knee
Hand & Wrist Treatment Torrance

Hand & Wrist

  • Hand & Wrist
 Foot & Ankle Treatment Torrance

Foot & Ankle

  • Foot & Ankle
 Elbow & Arm Treatment Torrance

Elbow & Arm

  • Elbow & Arm
Joint Surgery Torrance

Joint Surgery
Orthopedic Outpatient Procedures

Outpatient Procedures
Orthopedic Specialties Torrance

Specialties
Arthritis Treatment Torrance

Arthritis and Cartilage
310-546-3461 Appointment

Cartilage Repairin Torrance & Manhattan Beach

Cartilage Repair Torrance

a new lease on life

The cartilage that cushions joints in the knees, hips, ankles, and shoulders can become damaged or worn. Trauma, arthritis, genetics, and joint degeneration are the most common causes of cartilage breakdown.

Unfortunately, cartilage does not heal on its own. Surgical cartilage repair is often needed to restore joint function so the patient can lead a more fulfilling life, free of joint pain. Dr. Chris Mellano is an expert in treating cartilage injuries. With 11 years of experience as a board-certified Torrance orthopedic surgeon, provides patients with the best cartilage repair Torrance has to offer. He offers his patients a new lease on life with the latest surgical treatments that offer fast recovery and very little time in the hospital.

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Logo Arthroscopy Association of North America Logo Anterior Hip Foundation Logo American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Logo American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Logo Western Orthopaedic Association Logo
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Logo Arthroscopy Association of North America Logo Anterior Hip Foundation Logo American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Logo American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Logo Western Orthopaedic Association Logo American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Logo Arthroscopy Association of North America Logo Anterior Hip Foundation Logo American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Logo American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Logo Western Orthopaedic Association Logo

Can Damaged Cartilage be Repaired?

Cartilage requires surgical repair once it is damaged. It is not capable of repairing itself. Over time, pain & joint stiffness tend to worsen without treatment. If you notice joint pain or a feeling of friction when moving the knees, ankles, hips, elbows, or shoulders, it is in your best interest to see an experienced orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Chris Mellano, visit our Torrance orthopedics office, today. Failing to address simple cartilage injuries early on can result in the need for a full joint replacement surgery — a more extensive procedure that can be avoided or delayed by cartilage repair surgery.

Experience Freedom from Joint Pain

Dr. Mellano’s goal is to help patients achieve a better quality of life with world-class care and the latest surgical techniques. As a respected Torrance cartilage repair surgeon, he has performed countless cartilage repair surgeries in his 11-year surgical career. Damaged cartilage only gets worse over time. Schedule your consultation today for an accurate diagnosis and effective cartilage treatment options.

Cartilage Repair Torrance

What is Cartilage Repair Surgery?

Cartilage repair surgery may involve a variety of procedures that are designed to heal injured or worn cartilage. The most frequently needed cartilage treatment is meniscal resection and meniscal repair. However, patients may have damaged cartilage in other joints of the body that require repair. During the surgery, special tools are used to remove damaged cartilage and then smooth the cartilage surface that remains. Afterward, patients can expect to reduce joint pain, restore joint function, and slow the process of cartilage degeneration over time.

Types of Cartilage

Cartilage consists of water and collagen, proteoglycans, and non-collagen proteins. When the cartilage matrix breaks down, the body has difficulty making smooth joint movements without pain. Cartilage breakdown can result in improper weight distribution, arthritis, and mobility issues that get worse over time. There are two main types of cartilage:

Articular Cartilage

Also known as hyaline cartilage, this is the type of cartilage that is found at the ends of each bone in the human body, acting as a cushioned surface at the joint. It appears as a white cap located at the ends of the bones. The purpose of articular cartilage is to allow bones to change position smoothly, without causing friction. Damaged articular cartilage can be caused by injury or it may become worn down over time as a result of arthritis. When this occurs, the bone no longer has a cushion. This creates painful “bone on bone” friction by irritating nerve endings at the joint upon making everyday movements.

Fibrous Cartilage

Knee pain is often the result of torn or damaged fibrous cartilage located in the meniscus of the knee, as well as the shoulder acromioclavicular joint.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Dr. Mellano specializes in minimally invasive outpatient surgery. Patients can go home from the ambulatory surgery center the same day as the procedure and thus avoid a hospital stay. Depending on the type and extent of cartilage repair that is needed, several weeks of downtime are expected. Knee cartilage repair, for example, requires the use of crutches for approximately 6-8 weeks. Patients should attend all follow-up appointments so that Dr. Mellano can ensure that everything is healing well during the cartilage repair recovery process.

Cartilage Repair in Torrance

What Happens During theCartilage Repair Procedure?

Cartilage repair is a minimally invasive surgery that can be performed with an arthroscope or endoscope.

These specialized robotic surgical tools have small incisions placed around the joint. Dr. Mellano controls the robotic device from a nearby computer with great precision and dexterity. The instruments are slender, resulting in less tissue trauma during surgery.

This means his patients enjoy a faster and more comfortable recovery compared to traditional open surgery, which has larger incisions. However, some patients that have extensive or advanced cartilage degeneration may require open surgery. Dr. Mellano strives to minimize the invasiveness of the surgery so that his patients can enjoy the shortest recovery period possible.

Dr. Mellano’s mission is to give his Torrance patients the freedom to keep doing the activities they love. If you are struggling with joint pain, arthritis, lack of mobility, or joint inflammation, contact Dr. Mellano for a consultation so he can help you get moving again.

400 S. Sepulveda
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

2990 Lomita Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505

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310-546-3461

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