The guiding principle of operative joint-preserving therapy of gonarthrosis is the search for a safe, minimally invasive, efficient and ultimately reasonably priced therapeutic procedure to preserve or restore joint integrity. A comprehensive analysis and treatment of pathologies adjacent to and distant (axis deviations) from the joint are prerequisites for success of treatment. A comparison of results from the current literature with respect to the operative treatment of arthritis is limited due to the divergence of indications, terminologies used, techniques of the therapeutic procedure, inhomogeneity of patient collectives and the different follow-up and control schemes (scores). Conclusive, prospective, randomized double blind studies with large case numbers are associated with a high degree of organizational effort in planning, patient recruitment and execution and remain a rarity. Long-term prognosis depends on the stage of arthritis at the time of the arthroscopic intervention. Operative measures, such as correction osteotomy can be effective in the early stages. A short duration of symptoms, mechanical blocking and low-grade cartilage damage are factors which have a favorable prognosis. Cell-based cartilage repair techniques can reduce secondary degenerative alterations only in cases of local cartilage damage representing a prearthritic condition. Advantages of autologous chondrocyte transplantation compared to microfracturing have been found depending on the size of the defect and the follow-up time period. Furthermore, preservation and replacement of primary knee stabilizers, such as the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, have an important function for secondary prevention. A one-for-all therapy for joint-preserving operative treatment of gonarthrosis is lacking.