[Onset of arthrosis. Physiopathologic, nosologic and therapeutic perspectives]

The author has studied specimens of patellar articular cartilage obtained by drill biopsy during 45 operations for chondromalacia patellae. The samples were examined by electron microscopy. Thirty patients were suffering from early chondromalacia and 15 from long standing chondromalacia. The findings showed that the initial lesions were located in the superficial layer of the cartilage in areas subjected to high pressure. The author considers that a better knowledge of the evolution of the cartilaginous lesion can lead to better treatment, either medical or surgical.