Chondroplasty at Leeds Hospital

Chondroplasty is a type of keyhole surgery used to repair and smooth damaged cartilage in your knee. It treats areas of cartilage that have become rough or frayed, so your knee can move more smoothly again.

What conditions does chondroplasty treat?

Chondroplasty treats damage to the articular cartilage in your knee, the smooth tissue that covers the ends of your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) so they can move against each other with less friction. This damage is usually caused by:

• injury or trauma to the knee
• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

What are the benefits of chondroplasty?

Chondroplasty can relieve mechanical symptoms such as clicking, catching and locking, and help restore smoother movement in your knee. Because it's carried out through keyhole surgery, using smaller cuts than traditional open surgery, it's generally less invasive.

In some cases, it can also help prepare your knee for further cartilage-restoring treatment later on, if that's ever needed.

Are there different types of chondroplasty?

The exact technique used depends on how severe the cartilage damage is. For smaller, shallow areas of damage, your surgeon may shave or trim the rough cartilage, smooth it with a radiofrequency probe, or make small holes to encourage new fibrous cartilage to form.

If the damage is more severe and the bone underneath is exposed, your surgeon may instead recommend a related procedure called microfracture, which uses multiple small holes in the bone to trigger a healing blood clot that gradually develops into new cartilage.

What happens before chondroplasty?

Before your operation, your consultant will usually arrange an MRI scan to assess the damage and plan the right procedure for you. They'll explain what the operation involves and answer any questions you have.

If you're having a general anaesthetic, you'll be told how long to avoid eating and drinking beforehand.

What happens during chondroplasty?

You'll usually be given a general anaesthetic, so you're asleep for the whole procedure, which normally takes 30 to 60 minutes.

1. Your surgeon makes a small number of cuts around your knee.
2. A tiny camera, called an arthroscope, and small surgical instruments are inserted through these cuts, so your surgeon can see inside your knee on a monitor.
3. Your surgeon smooths, shaves or removes the damaged cartilage, or makes small holes in it, depending on which technique is right for your injury.
4. The cuts are closed with stitches, clips or dissolvable sutures.

What does recovery look like?

In hospital

You should be able to go home on the same day as your operation, as chondroplasty is normally done as day surgery. Depending on the technique used and the area treated, you may be able to start putting some weight on your leg straight away, or you might be advised to use crutches from the outset; your surgeon will tell you which applies to you.

If a nerve block was used during your operation, your leg may feel numb for a while afterwards, and you'll be given painkillers for when this wears off.

At home

Once you're home, you'll probably need crutches for anywhere between a few days and six weeks. Ice can help with any pain or swelling, wrapped in a damp towel and applied for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Keep your wounds clean and dry, usually for up to 14 days.

You will not be able to drive for a minimum of 2 to 6 weeks, and you must be able perform an emergency stop without any pain, hesitation or knee guarding. Always check with your car insurer before returning to the road.

Your consultant or physiotherapist will give you exercises to help strengthen your knee. If you have a desk-based job, you may be able to return to work within a few days; more active jobs usually take longer. Most people can get back to sport or exercise after around six to twelve weeks, though this depends on your individual recovery.

What are the risks and complications?

As with any operation, chondroplasty carries some risk of side effects and complications. Your consultant will talk you through these based on your own health and circumstances, before you go ahead.