London Cartilage Clinic IconLondon Cartilage Clinic66 Harley Street
Professor Lee performing a regenerative cartilage injection

Recovery

Recovering after NanoACi

NanoACi is a single injection, done in about 30 minutes under local anaesthetic. Most people go home the same day. Here is what recovery looks like, and how much lighter it is than surgery.

Free Discovery CallBook a Consultation
Professor Paul LeeReviewed byProfessor Paul LeeCartilage and joint preservation expertise
Last reviewed 1 May 2026
Independently verifiedGMC registerPHIN profileDoctify5.0Top Doctors5.0

Quick answer

Recovery from NanoACi is straightforward. It is one injection under local anaesthetic, about 30 minutes as an outpatient, and most people go home the same day and return to light daily activity that day. Improvement usually starts between 2 and 6 weeks. There is no theatre, no crutches for months and no long staged rehabilitation.

The day of your injection, and the first week

NanoACi is a technique Professor Lee performs in a single session. It delivers your own cells, a ChondroFiller scaffold and PRF into the joint through one injection under local anaesthetic, taking around 30 minutes. It is done as an outpatient, so there is no general anaesthetic and no hospital stay. Most people walk out the same day and get back to light daily activity straight away.

In the first 24 to 48 hours, about 1 in 10 people notice mild joint inflammation as the joint responds. This settles on its own and simple pain relief is usually enough. Over the first week, it helps to rest the treated joint, take things steady, and keep the small ear donor site clean. That ear site is a tiny area where a little of your own cartilage is taken to prepare the cells, and it heals quickly.

What to expect, week by week

  • Day of your injection: about 30 minutes under local anaesthetic as an outpatient. Most people go home the same day and return to light daily activity that day.
  • First 24 to 48 hours: about 1 in 10 people notice mild joint inflammation, which settles on its own.
  • First week: rest the treated joint, take it steady, and keep the small ear donor site clean.
  • Between 2 and 6 weeks: improvement usually begins as the cartilage repair develops.
  • Beyond: gentle activity and physiotherapy build you back up, with high-impact activity reintroduced gradually.

In studies of the micrografting technology behind NanoACi, the benefit has been reported to last at least three years. That is a property of the underlying technology, and every joint recovers in its own way.

Encouraged after the first week

  • Light daily activity from the day of the injection.
  • Gentle walking and everyday movement from the first week.
  • Physiotherapy to guide your return to normal activity.
  • Keeping the small ear donor site clean and dry for the first few days.

Pause briefly while the joint settles

  • High-impact exercise such as running and jumping, paused briefly.
  • Heavy loading, lifting and contact sport until the joint has settled.
  • Long periods on your feet in the first few days.

Much lighter than surgical recovery

Surgical cartilage repair such as STACI involves theatre, a recovery on crutches and a staged rehabilitation that can run 9 to 12 months. NanoACi asks far less of you. There is no theatre, no months on crutches and no long staged programme. It is a single injection you recover from over weeks, not seasons, which is why many people who want to avoid or delay surgery start here.

Whether NanoACi or a surgical pathway suits you is decided by Professor Lee on your imaging and examination. If you would like to compare the two directly, the pages below set out how they differ.

NanoACi treatmentAm I a candidate?NanoACi vs STACINanoACi cost
Regenerative cartilage injection prepared at London Cartilage Clinic
NanoACi is one injection you recover from over weeks, not a surgical rehabilitation over months.
consulting-in-office-with-pen

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I go back to work?

Many people return to a desk-based job the same day or the next day. If your work is physically demanding, plan for a few lighter days while the joint settles. NanoACi is an outpatient injection, so there is no hospital stay to work around.

Will it hurt afterwards?

The injection is done under local anaesthetic. About 1 in 10 people notice mild joint inflammation in the first 24 to 48 hours, which settles on its own. Simple pain relief is usually all that is needed, and the small ear donor site is a tiny area that heals quickly.

When will I feel better?

Improvement usually starts between 2 and 6 weeks as the cartilage repair develops. In studies of the micrografting technology behind NanoACi, the benefit has been reported to last at least three years. That is a property of the underlying technology, and every joint responds in its own way.

How does recovery compare with surgery?

It is much lighter than surgical cartilage repair. There is no theatre, no crutches for months, and no 9 to 12 month staged rehabilitation. NanoACi is a single injection you recover from over weeks rather than seasons. See NanoACi vs STACI for how the two pathways differ.

Do I need physiotherapy?

Gentle activity and physiotherapy are encouraged after the first week to guide your return to normal movement. High-impact activity is paused briefly and reintroduced gradually. Professor Lee will tailor the advice to your joint and how you are progressing.

How do I look after the ear site?

Keep the small ear donor site clean and dry for the first few days. It is a tiny area where a little cartilage is taken to prepare your own cells, and it settles quickly with no special care beyond keeping it clean.

Still have more specific concerns?

Free Discovery Call

Options that our doctors may discuss include NanoACi, ChondroFiller, Mytocel MSK, joint replacement, established conservative care or surgery, depending on examination and imaging.

Ask about NanoACi recovery

A free discovery call is the easiest first step. If you have not had a recent MRI, we can arrange your scan and consultation together, so Professor Lee can review your imaging and plan treatment in one visit.

Free 15-minute discovery callBook MRI and Consultation

London Cartilage Clinic

Latest Insights

Clinical updates, cartilage treatment guidance, and recovery-focused articles from our specialist team.

View all insights
Privacy & Cookies Policy