Management of articular cartilage defects of the knee

Articular cartilage injuries of the knee present a difficult clinical dilemma and their treatment is controversial. Hyaline articular cartilage is an avascular, low-friction, and wear-resistant weightbearing surface that has limited capacity for self-repair. The optimal treatment for cartilage lesions has yet to be established. Various treatment methods are employed to reestablish a stable cartilage surface, including microfracture, autologous and allograft osteochondral transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation, matrix-associated chondrocyte implantation, and scaffold-assisted methods. Treatment algorithms help to guide physicians' decision making in the care of these injuries. In this article, results from outcomes studies as well as prospective randomized clinical trials comparing treatment methods are reviewed, and current practice guidelines are summarized.