With some cases of cartilage damage, surgical methods of refixation are an important form of treatment. Here, fragments of cartilage and bone which have separated off into the joint are fixed back to their original site, using special surgical techniques. These include screws, which are removed in a second operation, or absorbable pins, which later dissolve by themselves.

Background information: A typical condition for refixation techniques of this type is osteochondrosis dissecans, in which – depending of the severity of the condition – small fragments of cartilage and underlying bone break off into the joint.
Osteochondrosis dissecans typically occurs during growth or in young adults; the cause is still unknown. The knee joint is most often affected, sometimes the ankle and elbow too.