Patent ID: 9119646
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for reinforcing subchondral bone in a proximal tibia adjacent a knee joint to try to prevent or delay the onset of a bone marrow edema in subchondral bone of the proximal tibia, the proximal tibia having articular cartilage, the subchondral bone occurring under the articular cartilage, the method comprising: identifying damage in the articular cartilage of the proximal tibia; obtaining imaging of the proximal tibia that is usable to determine if the imaging detects a defect in the subchondral bone, wherein the imaging obtained consists of one or more types of imaging that each fail detect a defect in the subchondral bone, said one or more types of imaging including a T2-weighted MRI; creating, despite the one or more types of imaging failing to detect a defect in the subchondral bone, an access path to the subchondral bone in a manner that preserves the articular cartilage of the proximal tibia; and injecting an injectable material into the subchondral bone via the access path for reinforcing the subchondral bone, wherein said identifying damage in the articular cartilage includes identifying articular cartilage damage on the T2-weighted MRI.