Knee Chondroplasty Performed by Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeons in Louisville, KY

Cartilage serves as a shock-absorbing cushion for the knee, allowing for smooth and stable movement. Damaged or degenerated cartilage can allow the bones in the knee to grind painfully against each other. Because cartilage does not have a good blood supply, it does not heal on its own; usually, medical intervention is necessary to address this type of injury. Arthroscopic chondroplasty is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that can be used to repair a small area of damaged cartilage in the knee joint.

If you would like to explore your treatment options for chronic knee pain or stiffness, you can confidently turn to the board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic. Our independently owned practice has earned a stellar reputation among our patients and peers in Louisville, Kentucky, and our surgeons are skilled and experienced in performing the latest surgical techniques, including knee chondroplasty.

What Does a Knee Chondroplasty Involve?

The goal of knee chondroplasty is to reduce friction in the joint and facilitate pain-free movement. After making a few small incisions around the knee, a surgeon will insert a thin, flexible tube containing a lens system, a fiber-optic video camera, and a light source (arthroscope). Using the arthroscope, the surgeon can capture high-definition images of the joint interior and view those images in real time on a computer monitor.

During the procedure, the surgeon will insert specialized surgical instruments through the incisions to smooth the damaged cartilage and remove loose fragments. The surgeon may also pump fluid into the joint to enhance his or her view and create more space to work. When the repair is complete, the surgeon will drain the fluid, remove the surgical instruments, and close the incisions.

As compared to traditional knee surgery, which involves a long incision, an arthroscopic knee chondroplasty typically results in a faster recovery with a lower risk of complications and minimal scarring. During the healing process, scar tissue may form over the bare spot to replace the missing cartilage.

If you’d like to learn more about knee chondroplasty and other treatment options for knee pain, contact Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic today to set up a consultation with a knee injury specialist at our location in Louisville, KY. We’ll do our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible.