Treatment of Patellofemoral Cartilage Lesions in the Young, Active Patient

Articular cartilage lesions of the patella and trochlea are commonly encountered in the young and active patient. These defects can be classified as chondral or osteochondral, and then further described according to size, location, and etiology. Early surgical intervention is often indicated for traumatic injuries resulting in osteochondral damage, including acute patellofemoral dislocation. For chronic lesions, initial treatment involves exhaustive nonoperative measures, and surgery is reserved for patients with persistent symptoms. A thorough history, physical examination, and imaging are essential to select the best surgical option. Cartilage restoration procedures are combined with optimization of background factors such as patellofemoral alignment and congruity to achieve success. Cell-based therapies have evolved into a reliable strategy for management of these lesions.