Conditions / Cartilage
Cartilage does not heal on its own. Some defects can be restored.
Articular cartilage is the smooth surface on the ends of the bones. It has no blood supply, so a defect from an injury does not repair itself. Left alone, a focal defect can widen and progress toward arthritis. Caught early, several techniques can fill it.
Interactive procedure guide
A closer look at the joint surface.
You can still switch views and read every explanation.
01 / Focal defect
A local gap in the surface
The opening shows a small area of missing articular cartilage, with the underlying layer exposed. Articular cartilage has a limited ability to heal itself.
Rotate to see the opening on the front of the inner condyle.
Explore the anatomy
Illustrative anatomy. Colours, movement and implants are simplified to explain the principle; they do not show a specific patient or predict an outcome.
Signs
- Localised pain with loading
- Recurrent swelling
- Catching if a fragment has loosened
- A history of a specific injury or a kneecap dislocation
When surgery is, and is not, the answer
Restoration is for focal defects in an otherwise healthy joint, usually in patients under fifty. It is not a treatment for widespread arthritis.
The choice of technique depends on the size and location of the defect and whether alignment or ligament stability also needs correcting. Fixing the cartilage without fixing the cause is a short-term result.
How it is done
Small defects: microfracture or bone marrow stimulation to encourage repair tissue.
Larger defects: osteochondral transfer, or cell-based and scaffold techniques where the defect is filled with a matrix that supports new tissue.
Injectable treatments including platelet-rich plasma are offered as part of a wider plan, with honest discussion of what the evidence does and does not show.
What recovery looks like
- Protected weight bearing for up to six weeks depending on the technique
- Gradual return to impact activity between six and twelve months
Timelines are typical ranges and are individualised. Progress is judged on strength and function, not dates.
Talk it through
If this sounds like your knee, contact Mediclinic to arrange a consultation with Dr Catteeuw. Bring any existing scans and reports so you can discuss the options together.
Other conditions
- Ligament injuriesACL, multi-ligament and anterolateral reconstruction
- MeniscusRepair first, remove only when repair is not possible
- Kneecap instabilityPatellofemoral instability
- Alignment and osteotomyFemoral and tibial osteotomy
- Arthritis and knee replacementPartial, robotic-assisted and total replacement