Cartilage Repair Education and training with Yorkshire Ankle Surgeon Mark Farndon

Mr Mark Farndon delivered a personalised 1-to-1 cartilage training session focused on osteochondral defects of the talus (ankle joint) and how to repair them effectively. This is a key cause of long-term ankle pain and further degenerative arthritic changes if a procedure like Mark teaches is not performed well. 

Held as an informal and flexible session for a fellow Orthopaedic Consultant, the training was built around individual learning needs rather than a fixed agenda, allowing for more meaningful discussion and hands-on experience.

The session began with a review of Mark’s clinical case studies, highlighting his approach to managing ankle cartilage injuries and surgical decision-making in complex cases. The focus was on using Chondrogide with a specific technique for the repair of osteochondral lesions. Chondrogide is a specialist scaffold used to support the regenerative activity from the body’s own cells.  It’s a technique that Mark regularly uses to support joint preservation in the ankle for his patients. With over 10 years of his own experience, he regularly teaches others how to get the best out of this procedure. 

This was followed by practical, step-by-step cadaveric training, offering an in-depth opportunity to explore cartilage repair techniques in a 1:1 lab setting. These smaller sessions allow for focused discussion on real-world challenges and fine-tuning of surgical technique, something that’s often hard to achieve in larger group settings.

As a foot and ankle specialist based in Yorkshire, Mark is committed to advancing best practice in joint preservation and minimally invasive surgery. He continues to deliver regular teaching and training on managing ankle conditions, including ankle arthritis, ligament injury, and cartilage restoration procedures.