chondroplasty

Chondroplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at repairing or smoothing damaged articular cartilage within a joint, most commonly the knee, but also the shoulder or ankle. Performed arthroscopically, it involves removing loose or unstable cartilage and shaping the remaining cartilage surface to create a stable, continuous joint surface with the goal of reducing pain and improving function. It is considered a joint-preserving operation and is typically used for focal cartilage defects rather than widespread degenerative disease.

Indications for chondroplasty include symptomatic focal cartilage lesions in a joint with otherwise healthy surrounding cartilage, usually after nonoperative treatments have failed. It is generally considered for younger or active patients and for defects that are small to moderate in size. It is less suitable for diffuse osteoarthritis or very large defects, where other procedures or joint replacement may be more appropriate.

Procedure and techniques involve arthroscopic inspection of the joint, removal of loose cartilage fragments, and trimming or smoothing of irregular cartilage edges to create a stable rim. Some surgeons may perform abrasion or drilling of the lesion to stimulate healing, though this is distinct from other cartilage restoration approaches such as microfracture, which penetrates subchondral bone to induce a repair response.

Outcomes and risks vary by defect size, joint involved, and patient factors. Chondroplasty can relieve pain and improve function in selected cases, particularly for small lesions in younger patients, but it is not curative for advanced disease. Risks include infection, stiffness, persistent pain, progression of degeneration, and the potential need for additional procedures.

Recovery typically involves a period of protected weight bearing, progressive range-of-motion exercises, and gradual strengthening over several weeks, with return to full activity depending on the defect and recovery progress.