What happens if my cartilage repair does not heal?

The main risks to know before surgery

• Incomplete healing or early wear of the repair tissue
• Persistent pain or recurrent swelling
• Stiffness, particularly after open procedures or repairs behind the kneecap
• Overgrowth of the repair tissue, sometimes causing catching, which may need a small arthroscopic trim
• Infection, wound problems and blood clots, which are uncommon but serious
• Planned second operations with some two-stage techniques

Why a repair may struggle

A repair placed in a knee that is still unstable, malaligned or missing much of its meniscus faces the same overload that caused the damage. Returning to impact too early, smoking, and carrying extra weight can also slow healing. That is why these factors are addressed before or alongside surgery whenever possible.

Signs worth reporting

Some discomfort and swelling are normal for weeks to months. Tell your surgeon if swelling keeps returning after the early phase, new catching or locking develops, you lose movement you had gained, or pain is steadily worsening. Fever, a red hot knee or wound discharge need same-day review.

Options if the repair fails

Assessment usually starts with an examination and a new MRI. Depending on the findings, options can include adjusting rehabilitation, an injection for symptoms, a further arthroscopy, a different restoration technique, correcting alignment with an osteotomy, or, in older patients with wider wear, partial or total knee replacement. Dr. Gelber also sees patients in Doha for a second opinion after cartilage surgery done elsewhere.