Osteochondral autograft transfer is a surgical technique that moves a small plug of a patient’s own cartilage and bone to a damaged joint surface. It is most commonly used to treat focal (localized) cartilage defects in the knee. The goal is to replace an injured cartilage area with healthy, living tissue from the same person. You may also see it referred to as an “osteochondral plug transfer” or “OATS,” depending on clinician preference.

Microfracture is a surgical technique used to treat certain types of cartilage damage inside a joint. It is most commonly performed arthroscopically (through small incisions) in the knee. The goal is to stimulate a healing response by creating tiny openings in the bone beneath the damaged cartilage. It is generally used for focal cartilage defects rather than widespread arthritis.

Arthroscopic cyclops lesion removal is a minimally invasive knee procedure that removes a small scar-like tissue nodule inside the joint. The goal is to clear a mechanical “block” that can limit the ability to fully straighten the knee. It is most commonly discussed after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or ACL reconstruction. The procedure is performed using an arthroscope (a small camera) and specialized instruments through small incisions.

Arthroscopic plica excision is a minimally invasive knee procedure that removes an irritated synovial plica. A plica is a fold of the synovium, the thin lining inside the knee joint. The goal is to reduce symptoms when the plica becomes inflamed and rubs against nearby structures. It is most commonly used in sports medicine and general orthopedics for certain types of anterior (front) knee pain.

Arthroscopic fat pad debridement is a minimally invasive knee procedure that removes or trims irritated fatty tissue inside the joint. It most often targets the infrapatellar fat pad (also called Hoffa’s fat pad) below the kneecap. It is typically considered when the fat pad is inflamed, scarred, or pinched and is contributing to anterior (front-of-knee) pain. It is performed using an arthroscope (a small camera) through small skin incisions.

Arthroscopic cartilage biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes a small piece of joint cartilage for evaluation or future use. It is performed using an arthroscope, a small camera inserted into the joint through tiny incisions. In the knee, it is commonly used to help confirm cartilage injury patterns or to support cartilage restoration planning. The sample may be sent to a laboratory for analysis or prepared for cell-based cartilage repair pathways, depending on the case.

Arthroscopic osteochondral fixation is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to secure a piece of damaged joint surface back into place. It is most commonly discussed in the knee, where cartilage and the underlying bone can crack or separate after injury. The goal is to preserve the patient’s own cartilage when a fragment is repairable. It is performed using an arthroscope, a small camera inserted through small incisions.

Arthroscopic lavage is the controlled flushing of a joint with sterile fluid during arthroscopy. It is most commonly discussed in the context of the knee but can be used in other joints. The main goal is to irrigate the joint space to improve visualization and help clear unwanted material. It may be performed as part of a diagnostic arthroscopy, a therapeutic procedure, or both.

Arthroscopic debridement is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to “clean up” a joint. It is most commonly discussed in the context of the knee, but it can be performed in other joints too. The surgeon uses a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments through small incisions. The goal is to remove or smooth damaged tissue that may be contributing to symptoms.

Arthroscopic notchplasty is a knee arthroscopy technique that reshapes and widens the intercondylar notch of the femur. It typically involves removing small amounts of bone and/or soft tissue that may crowd the space where the ACL sits. It is most often discussed in the context of ACL reconstruction, revision surgery, or notch narrowing (stenosis). The overall goal is to reduce mechanical “impingement” (unwanted contact) inside the knee.