Injections of bone-marrow stem cells and implanted “cartilage plugs” top the list of wanted treatments, as doctors test innovative processes to stimulate cartilage regrowth in damaged knees.

The cartilage that cushions the knees has only a limited natural ability to repair itself, thus, the knees are are the joints most likely to become problematic. The need for new and innovative treatments is great.

Unlocking the ability for accelerated self repair of the joint is the primary goal.

Those individuals who only require small amounts of cartilage to grow are the preliminary group to try the new alternatives.

The techniques, if they do indeed work, could help people with arthritis as well since their cartilage breaks down over time.

The pad of cartilage referred to as the meniscus, basically the knee