Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage is prone to damage from acute high-energy trauma and from repetitive shear and torsional forces applied to the superficial surface. Therefore, chondral lesions are a common pathology of the knee joint; they have been found in 60% of knees undergoing arthroscopy. Untreated full-thickness cartilage lesions (grade III or IV according to Outerbridge) are usually associated with significant pain and swelling; furthermore they provoke an increased risk of subsequent osteoarthritis. Due to the fact that individuals tend to remain active for longer the need for durable alternatives to arthroplasty increases. Reparative and restorative techniques are available to treat cartilage defects surgically; unfortunately, no treatment option has been identified as the gold standard yet

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Last date updated on May, 2025