The invention relates to a method for treating a cartilage defect by implanting a cartilage replacement implant through an arthroscopic access, comprising: determining at least one parameter for describing the arthroscopic access, providing a surgical instrumentation comprising at least two different applicator instruments for grasping the cartilage replacement implant, choosing one of the at least two applicator instruments of the instrumentation in dependence upon the at least one parameter determined for describing the arthroscopic access, and grasping and inserting the cartilage replacement implant into the patient's body with the chosen instrument through the arthroscopic access.