Cartilage Restoration in the Patellofemoral Joint
A Review Paper Cartilage Restoration in the Patellofemoral Joint Betina B. Hinckel, MD, PhD, Andreas H. Gomoll, MD, and Jack Farr II, MD malalignment, deconditioning, muscle imbalance Abstract and overuse) and can coexist with other lesions Although patellofemoral (PF) chondral in the knee (ligament tears, meniscal injuries, and lesions are common, the presence of cartilage lesions in other compartments). There- a cartilage lesion does not implicate a fore, careful evaluation is key in attributing knee chondral lesion as the sole source of pain. pain to PF cartilage lesions—that is, in making a As attributing PF pain to a chondral lesion “diagnosis by exclusion.” is “diagnosis by exclusion,” thorough From the start, it must be assessment of all potential structural appreciated that the vast majority and nonstructural sources of pain is the of patients will not require surgery, key to proper management. Commonly, and many who require surgery Take-Home Points for pain will not require cartilage multiple factors contribute to a patient’s ◾ Careful evaluation is symptoms. Each comorbidity must be restoration. One key to success key in attributing knee identified and addressed, and the carti- with PF patients is a good working pain to patellofemoral lage lesion treatment determined. relationship with an experienced cartilage lesions—that is, Comprehensive preoperative assess- physical therapist. in making a “diagnosis by exclusion.” ment is essential and should include a ◾ Initial treatment is non- thorough “core-to-floor” physical exam- Etiology The primary causes of PF carti- operative management ination. Treatment of symptomatic chon- focused on weight loss dral lesions in the PF joint requires specific lage lesions are patellar instabil- and extensive “core-to- technical and postoperative management, ity, chronic maltracking without floor” rehabilitation.
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