Cartilage Restoration
Cartilage does not heal on its own. Restoration techniques — from microfracture and AMIC to cell-based transplantation — rebuild a damaged surface to relieve pain and delay or avoid joint replacement.
3D Animation (1:10)Watch how cartilage restoration surgery is performed
Watch. Understand. Feel Confident.
1:10Cartilage Restoration — 3D Animation
See how the procedure is performed step-by-step in this animation.
1:06AMIC / Cell Transplantation (Real Footage)
For medical professionals: the surgical technique of cartilage restoration surgery, step by step.
For Medical Professionals
1:20Recovery After Cartilage Surgery
Why cartilage needs protected loading, and how the rehabilitation is staged over months.
Arthroscopic or Mini-Open
Day Care or 1 Night
60–120 Minutes
Joint PreservingSurgical Steps (Overview)
Defect Mapping
Size, depth and location of the defect are measured arthroscopically.
Debridement
Unstable cartilage is removed back to a stable, contained rim.
Technique Selection
Microfracture, AMIC membrane, osteochondral graft or cultured cells.
Repair Construction
The scaffold, graft or cell layer is applied and secured.
Co-Pathology
Alignment, meniscus or instability are corrected in the same session.
Recovery Timeline (Step by Step)
Week 1–2Protected or partial weight bearing · Continuous passive motion
Week 3–6Gradual loading · Cycling without resistance · Motion work
Week 6–12Full weight bearing · Strengthening · Pool training
Month 3–6Impact-free sport · Progressive resistance training
Month 9–12Return to running and pivoting sport*A cartilage defect is a hole in the bearing surface. Left untreated it enlarges, the surrounding cartilage becomes overloaded, and arthritis follows. Restoration fills the defect with repair tissue that can carry load again.
The technique depends on defect size and depth, bone involvement, your age and activity. Equally important is correcting what caused it: malalignment, instability or a missing meniscus.
- A focal cartilage or osteochondral defect on MRI
- Pain and swelling with activity in an otherwise healthy knee
- Younger patients not suitable for joint replacement
- Defects together with malalignment or instability
- Detailed imagingCartilage-specific MRI sequences and alignment X-rays
- Weight and loadOptimising body weight meaningfully improves outcomes
- Rehab commitmentThis is a months-long recovery — plan work and sport around it
- EquipmentCrutches, and sometimes a brace or motion device, arranged in advance
Cartilage surgery rewards patience and punishes shortcuts. Fill the defect, but also fix the reason it appeared — the alignment, the instability, the missing meniscus. That is what makes repair tissue last.
Questions & Answers
Does the new cartilage match the original?
Which technique will I need?
How long until I can walk normally?
Can this avoid a knee replacement?
Will alignment surgery be needed too?
When can I run again?
Note: This information is for general education only and should not replace a consultation with your doctor.
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