Joint preservation comprises non-surgical and surgical methods designed to treat damaged joints (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle), aiming to relieve pain and restore function while delaying or avoiding total joint replacement. It focuses on maintaining natural cartilage health through physical therapy, weight management, injections, or restorative surgery, particularly benefiting younger, active patients.Key Approaches to Joint PreservationNon-Surgical (Conservative) Care:Physical Therapy: Specialized exercises to improve joint mobility, stability, and strengthen surrounding muscles.Weight Management: Reducing load on joints like the knees and hips to decrease structural stress.Injections: Cortisone to reduce inflammation or hyaluronic acid for lubrication.Surgical Techniques:Cartilage Restoration: Procedures like [[]]Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)[[]] to repair damaged cartilage surfaces.Osteotomy: Realigning bones to shift pressure away from damaged areas.Arthroscopy: Minimally invasive procedures to treat issues like labral tears or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in the hip.Meniscus Repair: Preserving the knee's natural shock absorbers.