Articular cartilage lesions in 993 consecutive knee arthroscopies.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic articular cartilage injuries heal poorly and may lead to development of osteoarthritis at a young age. This study estimates the number of patients who may benefit from one of the surgical methods of cartilage repair.


METHODS
All patients undergoing knee arthroscopy during a 6-month period at three collaborating hospitals were consecutively evaluated according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) knee form. The material consists of 993 consecutive knee arthroscopies in patients with median age of 35 years.


RESULTS
Preoperative radiographs demonstrated degenerative changes in 13% of the knees. Articular cartilage pathology was found in 66% and a localized cartilage defect was found in 20% of the knees. A localized full-thickness cartilage lesion (ICRS grade 3 and 4) was observed in 11% of the knees. Of the localized full-thickness lesions, 55% (6% of all knees) had a size above 2 cm(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Eleven percent of all knee arthroscopies show cartilage defects that may be suitable for cartilage repair procedures. However, the natural history of these lesions and the number of patients that will benefit from a cartilage repair procedure are so far unknown.
Arøen
Asbjørn
A
Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Institute for Surgical Research, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo University, Oslo, Norway.
Løken
Sverre
S
Heir
Stig
S
Alvik
Elling
E
Ekeland
Arne
A
Granlund
Odd G
OG
Engebretsen
Lars
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome