Knee Cartilage Regeneration with MACI

Cartilage restoration surgery with MACI technology (Matrix Assisted Chondrocyte Implantation)

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MACI Surgery to Restore Your Knee Cartilage

Even small defects in cartilage will continue to get larger without treatment. Damaged knee cartilage can lead to knee swelling, knee pain, knee clicking, and knee popping. Without surgery, the cartilage cannot grow back on its own.

What is MACI?

The MACI procedure (matrix assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a surgical knee cartilage regeneration procedure that uses your own cells to fill in defects in your knee cartilage. 

What steps are involved in knee cartilage surgery?

Knee cartilage restoration surgery using MACI consists of two steps. A small surgery is performed to collect your own cartilage cells. These are multiple at an FDA-approved laboratory and then re-implanted in the knee at a later date.

See if You qualify for Cartilage Repair

See if You qualify for Cartilage Repair

BENEFITS of

MACI Knee Cartilage Regeneration Surgery

Use Your Own Cells to Repair Knee Cartilage Damage

Other cartilage repair procedures don't grow back normal articular cartilage. MACI implants your own chondrocytes in the defect, and those chondrocytes then grow normal cartilage to repair the injury.

Elite Level Surgical Care

Dr. Burnham's knee surgery team in Baton Rouge, LA specializes in surgical treatment of complex knee injuries, including cartilage restoration surgery. The surgical suite is equipped with cutting edge surgical equipment including 4K arthroscopes and viewing monitors that allow a high degree of precision and accuracy.


Return to an Active Lifestyle after Cartilage Surgery

Recent studies have shown that patients have a high rate of return to activity after restoring their knee cartilage defect with the MACI procedure. 

Why choose us?

Reviews of Dr. Burnham and Team

"Dr. Burnham is amazing. I had a traumatic knee injury that he performed surgery on...he does A+ work. With an injury like this you want the best, and Dr. Burnham is the best. I highly recommend him."

MD
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Individualized, patient-centered approach

Every patient is unique. Our team works together to develop a patient-focused treatment plan. There is no "one-size-fits-all" surgery.

BOARD CERtified & Fellowship-trained

Dr. Jeremy Burnham is certified in Orthopedic Surgery and in Orthopedic Sports Medicine by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS).

Multi-disciplinary regenerative medicine team

The Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute features experts in knee cartilage repair, cartilage restorations and cartilage regeneration.

Dr. Jeremy Burnham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of complex knee injuries. His clinical and research focus is centered around diagnosis and treatment of knee conditions.

Dr. Burnham is the team physician for Southern University, the Baton Rouge Rougarou minor league baseball, and several area high schools. He is the principle investigator for research studies examining the best treatment techniques for knee injuries.

Jeremy M. Burnham, MD

Faq.

Can you regrow joint cartilage?

The MACI process allows for surgical repair of the knee joint cartilage. After your own cartilage cells are re-implanted back into your knee, they start growing normal cartilage and fill the defect in the knee.

Can cartilage in the knee be regenerated?

The MACI process for implanting your own cartilage producing cells (chondrocytes) allows for the cartilage to be regenerated after the cells are implanted and mature.

Can damaged knee cartilage repair itself?

Damaged knee cartilage doesn't heal on it's own, and it will gradually get larger over time. This can lead to worse pain and symptoms if untreated.

how long does it take to recover from the maci procedure?

You will wear a knee brace that locks straight, and be limited weight bearing for the first 6-8 weeks after MACI cartilage repair surgery. This will be somewhat dependent on where the lesion was that was treated.


Usually, patients can start walking longer distances for exercise around 3-4 months after MACI procedure.


You can begin light jogging around 7-9 months, and running longer distances around 9-12 months. There are a number of low impact activities that you can also participate in during your recovery, including cycling and swimming.

Board Certification in Sports Medicine
Board Certification in Orthopedic Surgery
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