Focal chondral defects of the knee are extremely common and often result in pain, dysfunction, joint deterioration, and, ultimately, the development of osteoarthritis. Due to the limitations of conventional treatments for focal chondral defects of the knee, orthobiologics have recently become an area of interest. Orthobiologics used for cartilage defects include (but are not limited to) bone marrow aspirate concentrate, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and micronized allogeneic cartilage. Each of these products can be applied in the clinical setting, as an isolated surgical procedure, or as an augment to cartilage restoration surgery.
About the Author: Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA
Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, MBA is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, hip, and knee injuries. He practices at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), consistently ranked #1 in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and completed dual degrees at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Business School. He completed residency at HSS and fellowship training in sports medicine at Rush University in Chicago.
He serves as team physician for the New York Red Bulls and the NBA Players Association, and is part of the HSS Hip Preservation Service, treating complex joint conditions in active patients.
Explore his research on Google Scholar.
