title: UPDATING ON DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHONDRAL LESION OF THE KNEE.
abstract: The treatment of chondral knee injuries remains a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon, mainly owing to the characteristics of the cartilage tissue, which promote low potential for regeneration. Chondral lesions can be caused by metabolic stimulation, or by genetic, vascular and traumatic events, and are classified according to the size and thickness of the affected cartilage. Clinical diagnosis can be difficult, especially due to insidious symptoms. Additional tests, as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), may be needed. The treatment of these lesions usually starts with non-operative management. Surgery should be reserved for patients with detached chondral fragments, blocked range of motion, or the failure of non-operative treatment. The surgical techniques used for the treatment of partial thickness defects are Debridement and Ablation. These techniques aim to improve symptoms, since they do not restore normal structure and function of the cartilage. For full-thickness defects (osteochondral lesion), available treatments are Abrasion, Drilling, Microfracture, Osteochondral Autologous and Allogeneic Transplantation, and biological techniques such as the use of Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation, Minced Cartilage and stem cells.
authors.affiliation: Intern of the Locomotor Program of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Filho Marcantonio Machado
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: da Cunha Cavalcanti
authors.affiliation: Assistant Physician of the Sports Traumatology Center (CETE) of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (DOT), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doca
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (DOT), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology (DOT), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP); Coordinator Physician of the Locomotor Program of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferretti
keywords: Arthroscopy; Articular Cartilage; Cartilage Diseases; Knee