[Acute traumatic cartilage damage--therapy and results]

There is a high incidence of articular cartilage lesions together with other injuries of the knee joint. Single lesions are far more seldom. Difficulties in diagnosing cartilage lesions and the slow tendency toward recovery cause severe problems in treating this type of knee disorder. Elimination of enzymatic and mechanical interference and restoration of normal metabolic processes should be the therapeutic result. The plan of treatment depends on the pattern of the lesion. Conservative procedures or surgical intervention are possible methods of treatment. Both forms of therapy should avoid any immobilization of the knee joint whatsoever. Intraarticular injections are not indicated.