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Chondroplasty
A surgical procedure used to repair a small area of damaged cartilage in the knee.
What is a chondroplasty?
An chondroplasty smooths over loose, roughened surface cartilage covering your bone.
It is normally an option for mild cartilage wear and is done as arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery, and is best placed for mechanical symptoms such as clicking and catching.
Need to know
The procedure is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. Using a keyhole surgery technique called arthroscopy, a tiny camera is inserted into a small cut made at the front of your knee.
This lets your surgeon see and remove the damaged area of cartilage.
Before the procedure, your consultant will suggest a MRI to examine your knee and decide the best procedure for you. Your consultant will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
\When surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, the team will let you know how long you should avoid eating or drinking before surgery. Like all procedures, there are risks and side effects may be encountered. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You should be able to go home the same day as your surgery. You may need to use crutches for several days after you leave hospital. Your consultant will tell you when you can start bearing weight on your knee again.
The physiotherapy team may also recommend some exercises to help to build strength back in your knee. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Chondroplasty locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.