I am a 64 y/o male and broke my ankle about 5 years ago. I have a plate and 8 to 10 screws still in. About a 18 months ago I saw a Dr. about weakness in /around my ankle. After she looked at some x-rays she grasped my ankle and asked about my pain, there was none. She said that I would see her in a year for surgery, that my cartilage was deteriorating. I am feeling some pain now but would like to prolong surgery for as long as possible. My question is- are there treatments to inject a cartilage like filling to cushion my ankle?