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Treat Joint Pain with Subchondroplasty Therapy from Dr. Sheinkop, Our Joint Doctor in Chicago, IL

Get Back To An Active Lifestyle With Dr. Sheinkop, Our Chicago, IL Joint Doctor For Subchondroplasty Therapy

Dr. Sheinkop, our joint doctor in Chicago, IL, offers subchondroplasty therapy for joint pain, including knee pain. This state-of-the-art approach to joint pain treatment is increasingly being recognized for its ability to diminish pain and improve joint function.

Subchondroplasty can be a great option if you suffer from a joint degeneration disease such as osteoarthritis. As the principal investigator in a clinical trial on subchondroplasty, Dr. Sheinkop has seen firsthand the positive outcomes that are possible with this minimally invasive procedure. With subchondroplasty therapy, patients can successfully delay or even avoid total joint replacement.

What Is Subchondroplasty?

Subchondroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to specifically repair chronic Bone Marrow Lesions (BMLs) by filling them with a bone substitute material. The bone substitute is then slowly resorbed and replaced, with healthy bone repairing the bone defect.

Subchondroplasty also resolves edema associated with the bone marrow lesions. Subchondroplasty may be performed alone or along with other arthroscopic procedures.

Are You an Ideal Candidate For Subchondroplasty For Joint Pain?

Patients diagnosed with BMLs as the primary source of pain in their joints may benefit from the procedure. However, subchondroplasty is contraindicated in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40 or those with severe malalignment of the knee joint.

What Does the Subchondroplasty Procedure For Joint Pain Entail?

The whole subchondroplasty procedure is performed under fluoroscopy to accurately target the chronic BMLs. Fluoroscopy provides the surgeon with intraoperative real-time X-ray images of the surgical area to guide the surgeon. Before the procedure, the BMLs are first diagnosed on a T2 Fat Suppressed MRI.

  • First, the patient is administered general anesthesia.
  • A semi-circular reference frame is placed relative to the individual patient’s tibia or shin bone. The semi-circular frame allows the surgeon to target the internal subchondral location of BML from a range of trajectories.
  • A pin is inserted through the skin to the bone under fluoroscopic imaging using this semi-circular frame.
  • A cannulated drill is then used to advance the pin to the desired depth in the bone.
  • The semi-circular guide is then removed leaving only the pin.
  • A cannula is placed over the pin and is slid into the bone until it is firmly in place.
  • The luer lock of the delivery syringe filled with the bone substitute is attached to the back of the cannula.
  • The bone substitute is then injected into the bone by applying steady pressure.
  • The delivery syringe is then detached.
  • If more bone substitute is required an additional filled syringe may be attached to the same cannula and injected until the desired volume is reached.
  • A trocar is inserted into the delivery cannula to push the left-behind bone substitute into the bone.
  • The cannula is then removed.
  • Finally, the proper placing of the bone substitute is confirmed using fluoroscopic imaging and the incision is closed.

What Should You Expect After the Subchondroplasty Procedure?

Patients may experience discomfort in the operated area, which typically lasts for only 1-2 days after the procedure. Pain medications will be prescribed to manage it. Crutches will be recommended for 1-2 weeks after the surgery to reduce weight bearing on the operated leg. Physical therapy will also be recommended to regain strength and mobility in the knee.

What Are the Advantages of Subchondroplasty with Our Joint Doctor in Chicago, IL?

Subchondroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with the following advantages:

  • Subchondroplasty is an outpatient procedure. The patient is usually discharged on the same day as the surgery.
  • Subchondroplasty leads to faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.
  • If you undergo this procedure for knee pain, subchondroplasty does not hinder total knee replacement if required in the future.

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