Restore damaged knee cartilage early to relieve pain, protect the joint and delay or avoid a knee replacement.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nicolás Zarur · Updated October 2026
Cartilage is the smooth surface that lets your knee glide without pain. It has almost no blood supply, so it rarely heals on its own. Treating a cartilage injury early can delay, or even avoid, a knee replacement.
Surgery time
Hospital stay
Crutches
Return to sport
*Varies with the technique and the size of the lesion. [Validate all figures with Dr. Zarur.]
Articular cartilage covers the ends of the bones inside the joint. When a piece of it is damaged, after a sports injury, a dislocation or years of overload, the bone underneath loses its protection.
Small lesions can go unnoticed for months. If they grow, they cause pain and swelling and can evolve into early osteoarthritis, especially in young, active patients.
The right option depends on your age, the size and location of the lesion, and your activity level. Dr. Zarur explains each option with your MRI in front of you.
Physical therapy, weight control, activity changes and, in some cases, joint injections to relieve symptoms.
Small perforations in the bone stimulate new repair tissue to fill the defect. Used for small lesions.
A plug of healthy cartilage and bone is moved to the damaged area. Used for medium, well-defined lesions.
Techniques that use grafts or biological scaffolds for larger lesions. [Confirm which techniques Dr. Zarur offers.]
If the damage is widespread, as in advanced osteoarthritis, a knee replacement may be the better long-term option.
Cartilage needs time to mature, so recovery is gradual. This is a typical plan; yours will depend on the technique.
Surgery day
Arthroscopic or mini-open procedure. Most patients go home the same day or the next.
Weeks 1–6
Crutches with little or no weight on the leg. Motion exercises, often with a continuous motion machine.
Weeks 6–12
Gradually putting full weight on the leg, normal walking and strength work.
Months 3–6
Cycling, swimming and low-impact exercise.
Months 6–12
Running and return to sport, depending on the size of the repair and your tests.
Adult cartilage doesn’t regenerate on its own. Cartilage repair techniques stimulate or transplant tissue to fill the damaged area and restore a smooth surface.
Not exactly. A cartilage injury is a localized defect. Osteoarthritis is widespread wear of the joint. Treating a localized defect early can help prevent arthritis.
Usually 6 to 12 months to return to sport, depending on the technique and the size of the lesion. [Validate with Dr. Zarur.]
Injections can relieve pain and inflammation, but they don’t rebuild a cartilage defect. Dr. Zarur will tell you honestly what to expect from each option.
Yes. It is often done together with an ACL reconstruction or meniscus repair, or with an alignment correction, so the repair is protected.
Yes. Send us your MRI and reports, and Dr. Zarur will tell you if you are a candidate before you travel to Tijuana.
A cartilage injury treated early can save your knee. Send us your MRI or book a visit in Tijuana or Mexico City.
Get a clear diagnosis and honest options. We reply within one business day.
Trusted by Champions
Former President of the Mexican Football Federation’s Medical Commission and team physician for Cruz Azul, Morelia, Veracruz and Frontón México.
