Joint Preservation
What is Joint Preservation?
The hip and knee joints are essential for everyday mobility and bear significant stress throughout life. As the years go by, natural wear and tear or even minor joint injuries can accelerate cartilage loss. Eventually, this deterioration may result in chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function.
To address these challenges, the orthopedic specialists at Orthopedic ONE are recognized leaders in hip and knee joint preservation.Through a combination of evidence-based surgical and nonsurgical treatments, we aim to slow joint deterioration and relieve pain. Ultimately, these personalized approaches are designed to support long-term joint health and help you maintain an active, fulfilling lifestyle.
View Common Conditions
Joint Preservation for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of chronic joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly in the hip and knee joints. Initially, this degenerative condition results from cartilage breakdown. As the disease progresses, it also causes structural changes in the surrounding bone and soft tissue.
In response to these challenges, the board-certified our orthopedic physicians at Orthopedic ONE prioritize nonsurgical treatment options whenever possible. By focusing on early intervention, our goal is to relieve symptoms, improve mobility, and slow disease progression. As a result, this conservative approach can help patients avoid—or at least delay—the need for joint replacement surgery.
Common Conservative Osteoarthritis Treatments:
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- Personalized exercise programs and weight management
- Physical therapy and activity modifications
Corticosteroid injections - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Joint Preservation for Younger Adults and Athletes
Hip and knee replacements are common among older adults with advanced arthritis. However, younger patients, such as those under 50 or active athletes with cartilage or ligament injuries, may benefit more from joint preservation techniques. Moreover, these less invasive approaches aim to maintain the natural joint for as long as possible.
At Orthopedic ONE, the our multidisciplinary team offers advanced joint-preserving procedures to help adolescents and adults with pre-arthritic conditions maintain joint function, reduce pain, and delay the need for surgical interventions. In addition to this, their expertise spans a variety of conservative and surgical options tailored to each patient’s condition and goals.
Whether you’re managing early-stage osteoarthritis or looking to avoid premature joint replacement, Orthopedic ONE delivers personalized, evidence-based care to support your long-term mobility and joint health. Ultimately, their our goal is to empower patients to stay active and independent for as long as possible.
Hip Preservation
For patients with conditions like hip labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a minimally invasive treatment approach can offer effective relief without the need for total hip replacement. This joint-sparing strategy is particularly beneficial for active individuals under 50, helping reduce pain, restore mobility, and delay or even prevent the need for future hip replacement surgery.
To support these outcomes, our orthopedic specialists utilize advanced diagnostic tools and apply evidence-based techniques that help preserve natural joint function whenever possible.
Knee Preservation
In cases where the knee is severely damaged, often due to advanced osteoarthritis, total knee replacement (TKR) using artificial metal and plastic components may be necessary. However, artificial joints also wear down over time. Patients who undergo knee replacement at a younger age (typically under 55) often face the likelihood of needing a revision surgery later in life.
For these individuals, early knee preservation treatments can offer better long-term outcomes. These may include biologic therapies, osteotomies, or cartilage restoration procedures designed to prolong the life of the natural joint and maintain function.
What Is Hip Preservation Arthroscopy?
Using a small camera and precision instruments, surgeons can diagnose and treat hip joint conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. Minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy, often referred to as keyhole surgery, are commonly used to treat hip joint conditions. These techniques allow for effective treatment without the need for large incisions.
This approach is commonly used to address structural hip problems before they progress to more severe conditions requiring total hip replacement.
When Should Hip Preservation Surgery Be Considered?
Hip preservation procedures are typically recommended for young, active individuals who experience persistent hip pain or mechanical issues. Common conditions that may warrant arthroscopic intervention include:
- Hip Dysplasia – This congenital abnormality results in a shallow or malformed hip socket, which may lead to instability, pain, and early-onset osteoarthritis if untreated. While it is more prevalent in women, men can also be affected.
- Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) – FAI occurs when the femoral head and acetabulum (hip socket) do not align correctly, causing abnormal joint contact. Over time, this can lead to cartilage damage and early arthritis. FAI is often seen in athletes but can affect any active person. Early treatment is crucial to prevent long-term damage and reduce the risk of hip replacement.
- Residual Effects of Pediatric Hip Disorders – Adults who experienced conditions like slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) or Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) during childhood may develop hip pain later in life. SCFE causes the femoral head to slip from the thigh bone, while LCPD disrupts blood supply to the hip, resulting in joint deformity. Hip arthroscopy can address these long-term complications and preserve joint function.
What Is Knee Preservation Arthroscopy?
Similarly, knee preservation arthroscopy involves a series of minimally invasive procedures designed to treat knee joint damage at an early stage. Using small incisions and specialized tools, surgeons can repair or regenerate damaged tissues, potentially preventing the need for a full knee replacement later in life.
This technique is especially beneficial for younger patients under 50 who have sustained knee injuries or are showing early signs of joint degeneration.
When Is Knee Preservation Surgery Appropriate?
Knee arthroscopy may be recommended when patients suffer from specific injuries or conditions that compromise joint stability or function. Key indications include:
- ACL and Ligament Tears – These injuries destabilize the knee and increase the risk of further damage. Arthroscopic ligament reconstruction restores joint stability and helps protect other critical knee structures from early deterioration.
- Knee Cartilage Injury – Damage to the cartilage can lead to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Our specialists offer advanced procedures such as microfracture surgery, osteochondral allografts, and biologic therapies like stem cell injections and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to repair and regenerate cartilage.
- Meniscus Tears – The meniscus acts as a shock absorber for the knee. Rather than removing the damaged tissue, we focus on meniscus preservation and repair to maintain long-term joint health. Removing the meniscus increases the likelihood of early-onset arthritis and joint wear.
Why Choose Joint Preservation?
At Orthopedic ONE, our multidisciplinary team of board-certified surgeons and specialists use evidence-based techniques to help patients preserve their natural joints for as long as possible. By addressing damage early and prioritizing minimally invasive care, we aim to reduce pain, restore function, and delay or eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery.
Explore our comprehensive approach to hip and knee preservation to learn if you’re a candidate for joint-sparing treatments.
Common Hip and Knee Preservation Treatments
Our Joint Preservation Specialists
As central Ohio’s foremost experts in joint preservation, we offer years of experience in hip and knee preservation surgery and minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, and cutting-edge surgical and imaging technology.
These lists are not inclusive of all conditions and procedures. In order to obtain a complete and accurate diagnosis, a physician should assess your individual situation. Following diagnosis, your physician will discuss appropriate treatment options with you – both surgical and non-surgical. Schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic ONE physician.
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