Cartilage Injuries

Cartilage injuries, as distinct from the process of osteoarthritis, are seen in various knee conditions.

A common cause is the idiopathic condition called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). This is not fully understood, but leads to a piece of cartilage and bone breaking off from the femur or patella, usually in association with excessive pressure through that area due to malalignment.

Treatment for OCD includes offloading without surgery for mild lesions, and a myriad of surgical reconstructive techniques depending on the nature of more severe lesions.

Cartilage can also be damaged due to patella dislocations or during injuries such as an ACL rupture. Small lesions can be left alone, while larger lesions can be addressed with various techniques depending on the severity of the defect and patient age or activity levels in mind.

The reality is that cartilage damage is difficult to manage, and an area of intense ongoing research due to its critical importance.