Chondropathia patellae

The articular surface of the patella and the contiguous articular surfaces of the femoral condyles are sometimes affected by disintegrational changes of the articular cartilage, which remain localized there for a longer period of time. In consideration of the pronounced functional impairment arising at marked changes of these articular surfaces, resection of the patellar surface, metallic resurfacing of the patella, periosteal resurfacing of the patella, or patellectomy have been described as treatment by various authors. Most of these modalities were followed by shortcomings of the results, as indicated in pertinent follow-up examinations and reports. Thus, a more physiological modality of treatment, organic resurfacing of the patella with synovial tissue, was applied in 7 patients and led to satisfactory results as ascertained by long-term follow-up examinations.