title: The surgical treatment of chondromalacia of the patella.
abstract: In a retrospective review of 184 knees treated for surgically diagnosed chondromalacia of the patella, the average follow-up period was 3.9 years. The treatment rendered included trephine and drilling in 71 knees, facetectomy in 57 knees, shaving in 35 knees, and a combination procedure in 21 knees. Knees were graded as 2, 3, or 4, depending on the depth and severity of the lesion. The best results were in Grades 2 and 3 disease treated by trephine and drilling or facetectomy. Six patients required further patellar surgery during the follow-up period. The purpose of surgical treatment of the patellar articular surface is to relieve pain and preserve the mechanical advantage of the patella for normal knee function.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors