Injuries of the articular cartilage remain difficult to treat and can range from small articular cartilage defects to end-stage severe osteoarthritis. In this review, we discuss various surgical treatment options including imaging features and associated complications. Specifically, we review microfracture, acellular matrix-induced microfracture, autologous osteochondral transplantation, osteochondral allograft transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation, along with various forms of knee arthroplasties., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)