However, ahead of the 2010–11 season, Naldo began to have problems with a bone edema his the right knee that began to affect his season. As a result, Naldo was sidelined for several weeks. However, he was eventually sidelined that saw him not play for the rest of the year. By January, Naldo went back to his country, Brazil to have a surgery on his knee after Werder Bremen decided against having a surgery in Germany, having previously done, which were unsuccessful. Following an operation in Brazil, the Brazilian doctors revealed that he has a damaged cartilage on his right knee. This injury would take at least nine months to recover, resulting in him out for the rest of the 2010–11 season. The Brazilian doctors expressed concerns that his cartilage damage could later lead to other knee problems. Naldo commented about his injury, saying: "I am making progress, but when I can make my comeback is still uncertain."