MELBOURNE defender Clint Bartram will undergo a cutting-edge procedure on his degenerative knee next Thursday on the Gold Coast in a bid to save his AFL career.
 
In what is thought to be an AFL first, the procedure will initially involve Bartram having fat extracted from his body through liposuction.

Stem cells will then be harvested from that fat and re-inserted into the knee the following day in the hope of regenerating the growth of healthy cartilage tissue.
 
It is hoped this tissue will provide the necessary protective layer to allow the joint to function without causing pain.
 
Bartram has put on six kilograms since he stopped playing to prepare his body for the procedure.
 
Post-procedure, Bartram is likely to receive four fortnightly injections to foster the growth of the cartilage.
 
He will not be able to run but will train on bikes and the de-loader treadmill based at the club's AAMI Park training facility.
 
It is expected that scans taken three to four months after the procedure will be able to give a good indication as to the success or otherwise of the treatment.
 
The Demons have been keen to explore alternative remedies to help Bartram after a multitude of options - including the orthokine therapy St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt recently revealed as assisting him to overcome his knee problem - failed to resolve the issue.
 
It was felt if Bartram's injury was left untreated, it could not only end his career but diminish the quality of his life in the future.

Melbourne's club doctor Dr Dan Bates has been researching the use of stem cell surgery to overcome the injury.

And the club says recent trials of the procedure on athletes below the elite level have yielded encouraging results.
 
Because of the state of Bartram's left knee (bone on bone), other treatment options have either failed to fix it or were deemed, after consideration, to have little chance of success.
 
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said Melbourne was keen to explore every possible option on behalf of its players.
 
“We want to be seen as an innovative club, who looks at opportunities such as this and if it has the potential to benefit our players, in Clint’s case his ability to play football, then we will explore them further,” Mahoney said.

Bartram is buoyed by the prospect the procedure may allow him to extend his AFL career beyond 103 games, but he is aware there are no guarantees.

Although he has not played since round eight this year, Bartram is a vital, popular member of the playing group and his leadership qualities on and off the field are considered an invaluable asset to the developing group.
 
Despite his frustration at trying to manage a degenerative knee for years, he has managed to keep a brave face while trying a number of different treatment options.

The 24-year-old Demon has been diligent with his training and playing loads and looked to be tracking well at the start of the year. However it got to the stage after round eight where he was unable to train or play, and he was ruled out for the rest of the season.
 
While the procedure is experimental it is also considered to carry a low risk to the patient.