The goal of cartilage replacement procedures is to relieve pain, restore normal function, and potentially delay or prevent the onset of arthritis. Several arthroscopic procedures can be used for cartilage replacement, including microfracture, drilling, abrasion arthroplasty, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteochondral autograft transplantation, and osteochondral allograft transplantation.
After the cartilage replacement procedure, physical therapy may be recommended to help restore mobility to the affected joint.