Knee Subchondroplasty and Bone Marrow Lesion injection with stem cells or PRP

Knee Subchondroplasty and Bone Marrow Lesion (BML) injection are advanced treatments designed to address bone-related knee pain, often caused by bone marrow lesions, which are areas of damage or stress inside the bone beneath the joint surface. These treatments aim to improve joint function, reduce pain, and potentially delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Key Points:
- **Knee Subchondroplasty**:
  - **Procedure**: Subchondroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that targets bone marrow lesions. A specialized bone substitute material, typically calcium phosphate, is injected into the damaged or weakened areas of the bone. This material hardens over time and supports the bone, promoting healing and stability.
  - **Indications**: It is often recommended for patients with knee pain related to bone marrow lesions and early osteoarthritis. Subchondroplasty can be a good option for those who want to avoid more invasive surgeries like total knee replacement.
  - **Recovery**: The recovery is relatively quick compared to major surgeries. Most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks, though full recovery may take several months. Physical therapy is often recommended to regain strength and mobility.
  - **Outcomes**: Patients typically experience significant pain relief, improved knee stability, and better function after Subchondroplasty. It may help delay or prevent the need for knee replacement in some cases.
  - **Risks**: Risks are minimal but include infection, incomplete pain relief, or allergic reactions to the injected material.

- **Bone Marrow Lesion (BML) Injection**:
  - **Procedure**: BML injections involve injecting bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or other biologics, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or stem cells, directly into the site of the bone marrow lesion. This treatment aims to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, reduce inflammation, and promote bone regeneration.
  - **Indications**: BML injections are suitable for patients with bone marrow edema or lesions that cause pain and swelling. These lesions often occur in patients with knee osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or stress fractures.
  - **Recovery**: Recovery from BML injections is relatively quick. Most patients resume normal activities within a few days, although they may need to avoid high-impact exercises initially.
  - **Outcomes**: Many patients report reduced pain and improved knee function after BML injections. This treatment can potentially slow the progression of osteoarthritis and improve bone health in the affected area.
  - **Risks**: Risks are minimal but include infection, localized pain, or no significant improvement in symptoms.

Benefits of Both Treatments:
- **Pain Relief**: Both Subchondroplasty and BML injections target the root cause of bone-related knee pain, providing long-term relief.
- **Joint Preservation**: These treatments aim to repair damaged bone and delay the need for more invasive procedures like knee replacement.
- **Minimally Invasive**: Both are minimally invasive procedures, resulting in quicker recovery times and less risk compared to major surgeries.

Knee Subchondroplasty and BML injections are promising treatments for patients with knee pain related to bone marrow lesions, offering effective pain relief and the potential to preserve joint health.

 

Dr. Darshan Angadi, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director, will support you throughout every stage of your treatment and recovery after subchondroplasty and bone marrow lesion injection procedure, ensuring the best possible outcome.