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| Arthroscopic Chondroplasty and Cartilage Repair |
| Using the familiar arthroscopic approach through 1/4 inch incisions, surgeons locate the damaged cartilage (chondral) tissue and trim away or stabilize (repair) the area. This prevents flaking off of the damaged tissue which often irritates the lining of the joint leading to swelling. |
| The “clean up” or debridement surgery of the joint surface is called a chondroplasty. When the area of injury is less than one centimeter (3/8 inch), it has a low probability of progressing provided the knee has normal alignment, stability and meniscus. |
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| When the injured cartilage flakes off with a small piece of bone attached, the cartilage may potentially be repaired to its native location with small absorbable pins. This procedure is termed cartilage repair. |
