Pune, Maharashtra, India, 411042
Joint Preservation Surgery Protect Your Joints. Preserve Your Mobility. Not all joint problems require a total joint replacement. At Dr. Ulhas Sonar's Orthopaedic Clinic, we specialize in Joint Preservation Surgery—a set of advanced, proactive procedures designed to treat joint damage early, relieve pain, and delay or even prevent the need for a total joint replacement. Joint preservation is about protecting your natural joint for as long as possible. By addressing localized damage, realigning joint mechanics, or restoring damaged cartilage, we can help you maintain your active lifestyle while preserving your own bone and tissue. Our approach focuses on long-term joint health, offering you more options and better outcomes. Understanding Joint Preservation Joint preservation surgery is ideal for younger, active patients or those with early to moderate joint damage who wish to avoid or postpone a total joint replacement. These procedures are designed to: Relieve Pain: Target the specific source of your joint pain. Restore Function: Improve joint mechanics and stability. Delay Total Replacement: Preserve your natural joint for years to come. Protect Healthy Tissue: Minimize damage to surrounding bone and cartilage. Support an Active Lifestyle: Allow you to return to sports and daily activities with confidence. Our Joint Preservation Procedures High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) HTO is a powerful procedure for patients with early to moderate knee arthritis, particularly those with bow-legged alignment (varus deformity). In this surgery, the shinbone (tibia) is carefully cut and realigned to shift weight-bearing forces from the damaged, arthritic side of the knee to the healthier side. By correcting the alignment, HTO significantly reduces pain, delays the progression of arthritis, and can postpone the need for a total knee replacement for many years. This procedure is especially beneficial for younger, active patients who want to maintain a high level of physical activity. Partial Knee Replacement (Unicompartmental Knee Replacement) When arthritis is confined to just one compartment of the knee (often the inner or outer side), a partial knee replacement may be the ideal solution. Unlike a total knee replacement, which replaces the entire joint, a partial knee replacement replaces only the damaged portion while preserving the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments in the rest of the knee. This minimally invasive procedure offers several advantages: Smaller incisions and less scarring Less bone removal Preservation of natural knee structures Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay More natural knee movement and sensation Excellent long-term outcomes for appropriately selected patients Cartilage Restoration Procedures Damaged cartilage—whether from injury, wear, or degeneration—is a leading cause of joint pain. Our cartilage restoration procedures are designed to repair or regenerate this vital tissue, restoring smooth joint function and preventing further deterioration. We offer a range of advanced techniques tailored to the size and location of the cartilage defect, including: Microfracture: A minimally invasive technique that stimulates the growth of new cartilage by creating small holes in the underlying bone, allowing bone marrow cells to reach the damaged area. Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS): A procedure where healthy cartilage and bone are harvested from a non-weight-bearing area of the joint and transplanted to the damaged site. Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI): A two-step procedure where cartilage cells are harvested, cultured in a lab, and then implanted into the damaged area to regenerate healthy tissue. Fresh Osteochondral Allograft: Transplantation of healthy cartilage and bone from a donor to replace large areas of damaged tissue. Benefits of Joint Preservation Surgery Delays or Prevents Total Replacement: Preserve your natural joint for years. Less Invasive: Smaller incisions and less tissue disruption compared to total joint replacement. Faster Recovery: Quicker return to daily activities and sports. Preserves Natural Anatomy: Maintains your own bone, cartilage, and ligaments. Long-Term Joint Health: Addresses problems early to prevent further degeneration. Active Lifestyle Support: Ideal for younger, active individuals who want to stay active. Is Joint Preservation Right for You? You may be a candidate for joint preservation surgery if you: Are under 60 years of age and active Have early to moderate arthritis confined to one area of the joint Experience pain that limits your daily activities or sports Have not found sufficient relief from non-surgical treatments (medication, physiotherapy, injections) Wish to delay or avoid a total joint replacement Have a joint deformity (such as bow-leggedness) contributing to your pain Your Journey with Us Consultation & Diagnosis: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation with Dr. Sonar. He will evaluate yo