Cartilage Lesions of the Knee

This chapter presents a case scenario of a 25-year-old patient who presents following a low-energy torsional trauma sustained to his left knee while playing recreational sports. The prevalence of trauma-related cartilage lesions ranges from 23 to 54%, with meniscal tears often accompanied by focal chondral pathology. Evaluation of cartilage pathology on magnetic resonance imaging is important to inform both the patient and the surgeon regarding potential treatment and management approaches to focal traumatic defects in the absence of generalized degenerative changes. Advances in cartilage preservation and restoration procedures have led to an increasing number of therapies available to the treating physician. Identification of prognostic factors for clinical outcomes following joint preservation surgery will lead to optimal patient selection and subsequent benefit from cartilage surgery. Medium-term clinical outcomes favor cell-therapy and transplantation-based procedures over other treatment strategies. The chapter provides recommendations for implementing evidence-based practice in the clinical setting.