Treatments

Treatments for Ankle Cartilage Damage

Ankle cartilage damage is diagnosed most commonly with an X-ray of the ankle. However, X-rays can fail to identify up to half of cartilage defects. An MRI may need to be used.

Treatments for ankle cartilage damage:

• Minor cartilage damage can be treated non-surgically by immobilizing the joint and avoiding weight-bearing. A rehabilitation program can be followed that focuses on range of motion and ankle strengthening.
• More severe injuries can be treated with cartilage replacement surgery, such as osteochondral autograft transfer, autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-based chondrocyte implantation.