What is a Joint Preservation?
Joint Preservation includes surgical techniques designed to correct early joint damage, restore alignment, and maintain the patient’s natural joint — often delaying or avoiding the need for joint replacement.
Indications
Joint preservation surgery is advised in specific cases where early intervention can prevent further damage and maintain natural joint function.
The patient is under 60 and leads an active lifestyle.
Pain and stiffness are localized to one part of the joint.
There is joint malalignment visible on X-rays or scans.
Conservative treatments (medication, therapy, injections) have failed.
There is no widespread arthritis or joint collapse yet.
Causes
Joint Preservation includes surgical techniques designed to correct early joint damage, restore alignment, and maintain the patient’s natural joint — often delaying or avoiding the need for joint replacement.
*Hover over each box to read more detailed information.*
Joint Malalignment
Bow-legged or knock-knee deformities that overload one side of the joint.
Early Osteoarthritis
Wear and tear limited to one part of the joint, often in younger patients.
Cartilage Damage
Injury or wear to cartilage causing pain, locking, or limited motion.
Instability
Repeated ligament injuries or joint laxity that leads to abnormal joint movement.
Types of Joint Preservation Surgeries
Depending on the joint condition and severity, several surgical techniques can be used to preserve and restore natural joint function.
Osteotomy
-
What it does: Realigns the bone to shift weight away from the damaged area.
-
Common use: High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) for early knee arthritis or bow-legged alignment.
Meniscus Repair or Transplant
-
Repairs or replaces the shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee to prevent further joint damage.
Cartilage Restoration Techniques
-
Microfracture: Tiny holes stimulate new cartilage growth.
-
OATS/OCA: Transfers healthy cartilage from another part of the joint or a donor.
-
ACI: Uses the patient’s own cartilage cells grown in a lab and re-implanted.
*Hover over each box to read more detailed information.*
Ligament Reconstruction
-
Rebuilds torn ligaments (e.g., ACL reconstruction) to restore joint stability.
Synovectomy
-
Removes inflamed joint lining in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Debridement & Lavage
-
Arthroscopic cleanup to remove loose bodies, bone spurs, or damaged tissue.
Who can benefit ?
-
Patients under 60 years of age
-
Active lifestyle (sports, physical jobs)
-
Early to moderate joint degeneration
-
Localized joint damage (not widespread arthritis)
-
History of trauma, sports injuries, or congenital issues (e.g., hip dysplasia)
Joint Preservation vs. Joint Replacement
Hospital Stay & Immediate Recovery
Feature
Joint Preservation
Joint Replacement
Goal
Save the natural joint
Replace damaged joint
Ideal For
Younger, active patients
Older patients with severe arthritis
Longevity
Can delay replacement by 10–15 years
Implants last 20 years
Recovery
Longer
Often faster, depends on procedure
