Abstract
Articular cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea are commonly encountered in
the young and active patient. These defects can be classified as chondral or osteochondral,
and then further described according to size, location, and etiology. Early surgical
intervention is often indicated for traumatic injuries resulting in osteochondral
damage, including acute patellofemoral dislocation. For chronic lesions, initial treatment
involves exhaustive nonoperative measures, and surgery is reserved for patients with
persistent symptoms. A thorough history, physical examination, and imaging are essential
to select the best surgical option. Cartilage restoration procedures are combined
with optimization of background factors such as patellofemoral alignment and congruity
to achieve success. Cell-based therapies have evolved into a reliable strategy for
management of these lesions.
Keywords
patellofemoral - cartilage - osteochondral
