Cartilage Damage and Osteochondral Lesions

Articular cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, meaning full-thickness defects rarely heal on their own. While non-surgical options like muscle strengthening, unloader bracing, and targeted injections can manage symptoms in focal lesions, progressive cartilage defects often require regenerative or surgical restoration to prevent early joint arthritis.

Protected weight-bearing using crutches and a knee brace is typically required for 4 to 6 weeks following cartilage restoration. This protection period ensures that the newly formed tissue or graft matures securely under controlled conditions before absorbing full body weight.

Advanced arthroscopic techniques include microfracture (drilling small holes to stimulate fibrocartilage growth), matrix-induced chondrogenesis, and osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation (OAT/mosaicplasty). The optimal technique is selected based on the lesion size, location, and the patient’s physical demands.

Returning to sports requires a gradual biological healing process, usually taking between 6 to 12 months depending on the repair technique and defect size. Progress is monitored closely through functional strength tests and follow-up imaging to ensure joint safety.

Intra-articular injections do not regenerate lost structural cartilage, but they provide substantial symptomatic relief by improving joint lubrication and reducing local inflammatory cytokines. They are particularly effective in mild-to-moderate articular cartilage wear to restore pain-free motion.