Knee Cartilage Repair in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is cartilage repair?
Cartilage repair is a group of operations that treat a localised area of damage in the smooth cartilage lining the ends of the bones. Joint cartilage has no blood supply of its own, so a damaged patch heals poorly by itself. Repair techniques aim to fill the defect with new tissue or with healthy cartilage moved from elsewhere, so the joint surface becomes smoother and more even again.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, cartilage injuries are assessed by the orthopedic surgical team. Most repairs are performed on the knee, through keyhole surgery or a small incision, and the right approach depends on the size and position of the damage.
Who needs it
Cartilage repair suits people, usually younger and active, who have a clearly defined area of cartilage damage and otherwise healthy surrounding cartilage. The damage often follows a twisting injury, a dislocated kneecap or a sports impact, and it can accompany a ligament or meniscus tear. Symptoms include pain on loading the knee, swelling after activity, and sometimes catching or locking.
The size of the damaged area, its position, your age, your weight and the alignment of your leg all shape the decision. Damage from a single injury behaves very differently from the widespread wear of osteoarthritis, and assessment separates the two. Where cartilage damage sits alongside a torn ligament or a misaligned kneecap, those problems are often treated at the same time, because a repair lasts best in a stable, well-aligned knee. The broader causes of knee pain are covered on the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine page.
What happens
An MRI scan usually shows the cartilage damage before surgery, and the surgeon confirms its exact size and depth by looking inside the joint at the start of the operation. Cartilage repair is performed under general or spinal anaesthetic.
The main approaches are:
- Marrow stimulation, often called microfracture, in which the surgeon makes small holes in the bone beneath the defect. Blood and marrow cells fill the area and form a clot that matures into repair tissue.
- Osteochondral transfer, in which small plugs of healthy cartilage and bone are moved from a less important part of the joint into the damaged area.
- Other repair methods for larger defects, which your surgeon discusses with you if they are relevant to your knee.
Loose fragments of cartilage are removed, unstable edges are trimmed, and any related problem, such as a meniscus tear, is treated during the same operation. Your surgeon explains which approach suits your knee and why.
Preparing for it
Rehabilitation after cartilage repair is long and demanding, so preparing before surgery makes a real difference. Strengthening your thigh muscles, reaching a healthy weight and practising walking with crutches without putting weight on the operated leg all help.
A pre-operative check reviews your health and medicines. Plan for a period on crutches with limited weight on the leg, arrange help at home and transport, and discuss time away from work and sport with your surgeon beforehand.
Afterwards
The new repair tissue is fragile at first and matures slowly, so it is protected with limited weight bearing on crutches for a period, sometimes with a brace. Moving the knee early, often with guided exercises, helps nourish the repair. Strengthening, balance training and a gradual return to running and sport follow in stages, with physiotherapy arranged as part of your care pathway. Your surgeon gives you a timeline for your case, and following the weight-bearing plan closely protects the result.
Contact the hospital if a wound becomes red, hot or starts to leak, if you develop a fever, or if the knee becomes much more swollen and painful. Go to the emergency department straight away if you develop pain and swelling in the calf, chest pain or sudden breathlessness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
Cost and insurance
Cartilage repair usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, supported by the MRI and the examination findings. Standard keyhole techniques are covered by many policies when there is a clear injury, while some newer repair methods may be excluded or need additional justification. Physiotherapy after surgery is often approved separately with a session limit. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Can cartilage repair treat knee arthritis?
Cartilage repair is designed for a defined patch of damage in an otherwise healthy joint, and it is not a treatment for the widespread cartilage wear of osteoarthritis. For arthritis, options include exercise, weight management, injections and, when needed, joint replacement.
Does cartilage grow back on its own?
Joint cartilage has no blood supply, so damaged cartilage heals poorly on its own and the defect can slowly enlarge. Repair techniques encourage new tissue to form or move healthy cartilage into the damaged area.
What are the risks of cartilage repair?
Cartilage repair carries risks including infection, blood clots, stiffness and a reaction to the anaesthetic. The repair tissue may be less durable than original cartilage, symptoms can persist or return, and further surgery is sometimes needed. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to your knee.
Why do I need crutches for so long after cartilage repair?
The repair tissue is soft and immature at first and needs protection from full body weight while it matures and bonds to the surrounding cartilage. Walking on it too early can damage the repair, so weight bearing increases in stages following your surgeon's plan.
Am I suitable for cartilage repair?
You may be suitable for cartilage repair if you have a defined area of damage, healthy cartilage around it, a stable knee and good leg alignment, and if you can commit to a long rehabilitation programme. Your surgeon assesses these factors using your examination, MRI and, sometimes, arthroscopy.
Can I return to sport after cartilage repair?
Many people return to sport after cartilage repair, although it takes time and depends on the size of the defect, the technique and the sport. Your surgeon guides a staged return using tests of strength and movement.
Is cartilage repair covered by insurance?
Many UAE insurance plans cover cartilage repair with pre-approval when an MRI and examination show a clear injury, but some newer repair methods may be excluded. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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