Dr. Vidal performs cartilage restoration in Vail, procedures that rebuild a damaged patch of the knee's smooth surface. It is considered for select defects in an otherwise healthy knee after non-surgical care. Dr. Vidal matches the technique to the defect's size and location.
Armando Vidal performs cartilage restoration in Vail when it is the right step, and reviews every alternative with you first.
What do patients ask most?
Who is a good candidate for cartilage restoration?+
What are the main cartilage restoration techniques?+
How long is recovery after cartilage restoration?+
Will cartilage restoration prevent arthritis?+
Who performs cartilage restoration in Vail?
Armando Vidal is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who performs cartilage restoration in Vail, CO. Fellowship trained at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Vidal sees patients at the practice in Vail; appointments can be requested through this site.
What is Cartilage Restoration?
Cartilage restoration is a group of procedures that rebuild a focused area of damaged articular cartilage, the smooth tissue that lets the knee bones glide.
Because cartilage does not heal well on its own, these techniques aim to create a durable surface.
The approach depends on the defect. Some techniques stimulate the body to fill a small defect, while others transfer cartilage and bone or use cells grown from the patient to resurface a larger area.
Restoration is generally for a focused defect in an otherwise healthy knee, not for widespread arthritis. Careful selection is what makes these procedures worthwhile.
What happens during Cartilage Restoration, step by step?
The technique is matched to the defect.
Options include stimulating repair tissue in a small defect, transferring plugs of cartilage and bone, or resurfacing with cells grown from the patient, which may be staged across two procedures. Dr. Vidal will explain which technique your defect calls for and why.
What is recovery like after Cartilage Restoration?
Restoration usually involves a careful, staged rehabilitation to protect the new surface while it matures.
Weight and motion are often limited early, with a gradual return to activity over several months, and full return to demanding activity can take longer, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These are ranges, not promises. Your surgical team will set a plan specific to your technique.
Read the full guide to preparing for surgery →
Your own recovery instructions come from the office and are specific to you. This page describes the general course, not a plan to follow.
How do payments work?
Contact the office to confirm insurance participation.
Fellowship trained at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Sees patients in Vail.
About Dr. Vidal →