膝关节软骨损伤的外科治疗进展

关节软骨损伤后,软骨缺损通常缺乏自行修复能力,要求外科修复。传统外科治疗软骨损伤包括关节镜下冲洗清理术、微骨折术、自体骨软骨移植术、异体骨软骨移植术和自体软骨细胞移植等方法。关节冲洗清理术去除了关节内致痛因素,操作简单,应用广泛,早期疗效确切。微骨折术及自体骨软骨移植对小面积的软骨缺损修复较为理想,然而远期临床观察发现钻孔渗透修复的纤维软骨会降低微骨折术后疗效,相对于重建负重区关节面完整性自体骨软骨移植更具有优势。自体软骨细胞移植及异体骨软骨移植适用于更大面积的软骨缺损,异体骨软骨移植术后存活率受到局部排斥反应影响,从而降低了远期疗效。软骨组织工程技术可最大限度地提高自体软骨细胞移植的修复质量,实现修复组织接近透明软骨,但对于累及软骨下骨板、反应性骨水肿、严重骨量丢失或下肢轴线不良具有局限性。近年来许多新技术陆续应用于软骨损伤治疗领域,创伤小、操作简便、恢复快、疗效好、花费低、多技术联合应用的外科修复技术将会成为未来的治疗软骨损伤的重要手段。目前如何提高软骨修复质量,更具抗压、耐磨性,仍亟待解决。     

The future of treatment for chondral and osteochondral lesions

The population of patients with symptomatic focal or generalized cartilage lesions is growing due to prolongation of life expectancy and to increasing frequency of sports injuries. Cartilage tissue lesions which were defined as untreatable in the past have now become treatable thanks to advances in basic scientific research. With the development of technologies regarding biomaterial, cell and local regulators, and with the introduction of new surgical techniques, it is estimated that, in the near future, clinical applications of cartilage tissue engineering will also receive particular attention in our country. Currently, all alternatives used in the treatment of cartilage lesions have merits and demerits, including arthroscopic debridement and lavage, mesenchymal stem cell stimulation, osteochondral replacement techniques, and autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Preliminary results of experimental cartilage tissue engineering are encouraging for the replacement of disrupted tissue with that having mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage. Clinical applications of cartilage tissue engineering include bioabsorbable scaffolds as extracellular collagen, hyaluronic acid matrices, and genetically engineered bioactive materials.     

Autologous chondrocyte implantation in a novel alginate-agarose hydrogel: outcome at two years

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is an established method of treatment for symptomatic articular defects of cartilage. CARTIPATCH is a monolayer-expanded cartilage cell product which is combined with a novel hydrogel to improve cell phenotypic stability and ease of surgical handling. Our aim in this prospective, multicentre study on 17 patients was to investigate the clinical, radiological, arthroscopic and histological outcome at a minimum follow-up of two years after the implantation of autologous chondrocytes embedded in a three-dimensional alginate-agarose hydrogel for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects. Clinically, all the patients improved significantly. Patients with lesions larger than 3 cm(2) improved significantly more than those with smaller lesions. There was no correlation between the clinical outcome and the body mass index, age, duration of symptoms and location of the defects. The mean arthroscopic International Cartilage Repair Society score was 10 (5 to 12) of a maximum of 12. Predominantly hyaline cartilage was seen in eight of the 13 patients (62%) who had follow-up biopsies. Our findings suggest that autologous chondrocyte implantation in combination with a novel hydrogel results in a significant clinical improvement at follow-up at two years, more so for larger and deeper lesions. The surgical procedure is uncomplicated, and predominantly hyaline cartilage-like repair tissue was observed in eight patients.     

An evidence-based update on the management of articular cartilage defects in the hip

ObjectiveArticular cartilage defects in the hip joint pose a significant surgical challenge and remain one of the most important determinants of success following arthroscopic intervention of the hip. The aim of this literature review was to report on the best available evidence on the various treatment options utilised for articular cartilage defects in the hip.Material and methodsA comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed from its inception to October 2021 using the following search strategy: ((hip) and (cartilage or chondral) and (repair or regeneration or restoration or implantation or chondroplasty or chondrogenic)). Two reviewers (KHSK, MG) independently reviewed titles and abstracts to identify articles for the final analysis. Articles were included if they were original research studies (randomised control trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, or comparative studies) on treatment of hip cartilage defects in humans reporting on a minimum of 5 patients. A total of 1172 articles were identified from the initial literature search. Following a thorough selection process, 35 articles were included in the final analysis to synthesise the evidence.ResultsDebridement, microfracture, autologous chondocyte implanatation (ACI) and matrix-induced ACI (MACI) are shown to have good short-to medium-term results. Injectable ACI and MACI have been developed to enable these procedures to be performed via arthroscopic surgery to reduce the post-operative morbidity associated with surgery with promising early results. Large cartilage defects which involved the sub-chondral bone may need the use of osteochondral grafts either autograft or allograft. Newer biological solutions have been developed to potentially deliver a single-stage procedure for hip cartilage injuries but longer-term results are still awaited.ConclusionAccurate identification of the extent of the injury helps stratify the defect and plan appropriate treatment. Several surgical techniques have shown good short to medium-term outcomes with ACI, AMIC, mosaicplasty and microfracture. Recent advances have enabled the use of injectable MACI and bioscaffolds which show promising results but in the shorter term. However, one needs to be mindful of the techniques which can be used in their surgical setting with the available resources. In order to thoroughly evaluate the benefits of the different surgical techniques for hip cartilage defects, large scale prospective multi-centre studies are necessary. Perhaps inclusion of such procedures in registries may also yield meaningful and pragmatic results.     

Stadiengerechte operative Knorpeltherapie

Chondral or osteochondral lesions are typical injuries in orthopaedics and traumatology. Since there is no regeneration of damaged articular cartilage, these lesions can lead to premature osteoarthritis. Therefore, an adequate therapy for these injuries is an important goal. Nowadays, common methods in cartilage therapy are procedures for the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells: autologous osteochondral transplantation and autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Currently, autologous osteochondral transplantation is the only procedure that allows the replacement of the defect with hyaline cartilage. However, this procedure has the problem of donor-site morbidity and limited availability of transplants. Stem cell recruiting procedures and autologous chondrocyte transplantation normally achieve a regeneration of the defect with only fibrocartilage tissue, but both can achieve good medium-term clinical results. Each of these therapeutic principles has certain major indications. In order to select an adequate therapy, the classification of chondral or osteochondral lesion is needed. From a multiplicity of classification systems, those of the ICRS are of particular clinical relevance.     

Stage oriented surgical cartilage therapy. Current situation

Chondral or osteochondral lesions are typical injuries in orthopaedics and traumatology. Since there is no regeneration of damaged articular cartilage, these lesions can lead to premature osteoarthritis. Therefore, an adequate therapy for these injuries is an important goal. Nowadays, common methods in cartilage therapy are procedures for the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells: autologous osteochondral transplantation and autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Currently, autologous osteochondral transplantation is the only procedure that allows the replacement of the defect with hyaline cartilage. However, this procedure has the problem of donor-site morbidity and limited availability of transplants. Stem cell recruiting procedures and autologous chondrocyte transplantation normally achieve a regeneration of the defect with only fibrocartilage tissue, but both can achieve good medium-term clinical results. Each of these therapeutic principles has certain major indications. In order to select an adequate therapy, the classification of chondral or osteochondral lesion is needed. From a multiplicity of classification systems, those of the ICRS are of particular clinical relevance.     

Diagnosis and treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus

Delayed diagnosis of osteochondral lesions of the talus is common; acute osteochondral injuries to the talar dome frequently go unrecognized. While acute lesions may be repaired, typically the focus of operative treatment for osteochondral lesions is on: (a) débridement and drilling/microfracture (leading to filling of the defect with fibrocartilage) or (b) salvage procedures, including osteochondral autograft transfer system and autologous chondrocyte implantation (potentially leading to resurfacing of the defect with hyaline cartilage). In this article, we review current trends in preoperative assessment, defining indications and surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus.     

Diagnostik und Therapie osteochondraler Läsionen des Talus

Delayed diagnosis of osteochondral lesions of the talus is common; acute osteochondral injuries to the talar dome frequently go unrecognized. While acute lesions may be repaired, typically the focus of operative treatment for osteochondral lesions is on: (a) débridement and drilling/microfracture (leading to filling of the defect with fibrocartilage) or (b) salvage procedures, including osteochondral autograft transfer system and autologous chondrocyte implantation (potentially leading to resurfacing of the defect with hyaline cartilage). In this article, we review current trends in preoperative assessment, defining indications and surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus.     

距骨软骨损伤的诊疗进展

距骨软骨损伤的诊断可依据患者的症状、病史、MRI检查、详细的体格检查及关节镜检查,治疗上包括保守治疗和手术治疗,保守治疗风险较小,对于轻度损伤效果好;手术治疗包括清创、骨髓刺激术、内固定术以及软骨移植、自体软骨细胞移植、关节腔内注射生物附加物、超声波及电磁刺激技术、组织工程技术等。目前临床最常使用的方法是清创骨髓刺激术、软骨移植及自体软骨细胞移植术。清创、骨髓刺激术在关节镜下微创进行,操作简单、费用低、手术效果好、患者术后疼痛轻,但其术后形成的是纤维软骨,对于小范围损伤成功率较高,一旦失败将造成更大范围的缺损。软骨移植术可以Ⅰ期完成手术,达到透明软骨恢复,但是供区存在不同程度的病理性变化。软骨细胞移植术能解决初次治疗失败后遗留的较大骨软骨缺损,不影响供区,可达到透明软骨修复。但其治疗时间长,必须分期手术及治疗费用较高。各种治疗方法近期治疗效果满意,但远期疗效仍值得商榷。对于自体软骨细胞移植术及新兴的组织工程学治疗技术,仍具有广阔的科研前景。     

Autologous chondrocyte implantation versus matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation for osteochondral defects of the knee: a prospective, randomised study

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is used widely as a treatment for symptomatic chondral and osteochondral defects of the knee. Variations of the original periosteum-cover technique include the use of porcine-derived type I/type III collagen as a cover (ACI-C) and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) using a collagen bilayer seeded with chondrocytes. We have performed a prospective, randomised comparison of ACI-C and MACI for the treatment of symptomatic chondral defects of the knee in 91 patients, of whom 44 received ACI-C and 47 MACI grafts. Both treatments resulted in improvement of the clinical score after one year. The mean modified Cincinnati knee score increased by 17.6 in the ACI-C group and 19.6 in the MACI group (p = 0.32). Arthroscopic assessments performed after one year showed a good to excellent International Cartilage Repair Society score in 79.2% of ACI-C and 66.6% of MACI grafts. Hyaline-like cartilage or hyaline-like cartilage with fibrocartilage was found in the biopsies of 43.9% of the ACI-C and 36.4% of the MACI grafts after one year. The rate of hypertrophy of the graft was 9% (4 of 44) in the ACI-C group and 6% (3 of 47) in the MACI group. The frequency of re-operation was 9% in each group. We conclude that the clinical, arthroscopic and histological outcomes are comparable for both ACI-C and MACI. While MACI is technically attractive, further long-term studies are required before the technique is widely adopted.     

Injuries to the Articular Cartilage

Abstract Injuries to articular cartilage are commonly encountered in orthopedic sports medicine. These lesions can lead to sport invalidity and premature osteoarthritis. The management of chondral and osteochondral lesions represents a challenge to clinicians and scientists. The aim of the therapy has to be the recurrence to former sport levels and the prevention of early osteoarthritis. Today there are different concepts of treatment. One therapy principle is the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells. These procedures lead at best to fibrocartilaginous repair tissue that is functionally inferior to normal hyaline cartilage. Another group of procedures is the transplantation of autologous osteochondral grafts, which provide repair with a hyaline cartilage matrix and show good clinical medium-term results. But osteochondral grafts are limited and there is a potential donor-site morbidity. Finally, the transplantation of autologous chondrocytes is used. However, this kind of transplantation repairs the chondral injury only by fibrocartilaginous repair tissue, too. Therefore, new techniques for the treatment of articular cartilage injuries have to be established. The most promising field today is the combination of tissue-engineering and gene therapeutic methods for the treatment of the chondral and osteochondral lesions.     

关节镜下微骨折术联合自体骨软骨移植治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤

目的探讨关节镜下微骨折术联合自体骨软骨移植(osteochondral autologous transplantation,OAT)治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积(4~6 cm^2)软骨损伤的疗效。方法2016年3月-2017年6月,采用关节镜下微骨折术联合OAT治疗22例膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤患者。其中男16例,女6例;年龄22~60岁,平均38.6岁。致伤原因:交通事故伤8例,运动损伤14例。病程1~6个月,平均3.4个月。股骨内侧髁损伤15例,外侧髁损伤7例;软骨损伤面积4~6 cm^2,平均4.98 cm^2。软骨损伤国际软骨修复协会(ICRS)分级:Ⅲ级9例,Ⅳ级13例。伴半月板损伤18例。术前疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)为(6.36±1.25)分,Lysholm评分为(36.00±7.77)分。结果术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合。患者均获随访,随访时间2~3年,平均2.3年。术后2年时VAS评分为(1.27±0.94)分,Lysholm评分为(77.82±6.21)分,均较术前明显改善(t=16.595,P=0.000;t=21.895,P=0.000)。术后2年,MRI显示软骨缺损区修复良好。结论关节镜下微骨折术联合OAT治疗膝关节股骨髁大面积软骨损伤早期疗效较好。     

Beneficial effects of intra-articular caspase inhibition therapy following osteochondral injury

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have demonstrated that articular cartilage injury leads to chondrocyte death through a mechanism termed "apoptosis", or programmed cell death (PCD). Inhibitors of caspases, key enzymatic mediators of apoptosis, have been shown to block chondrocyte PCD. We hypothesized that short-term intra-articular administration of a potent caspase inhibitor would decrease chondrocyte PCD and subsequent cartilage degeneration following experimental osteochondral injury in rabbits. METHODS: Adult New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to osteochondral injuries of their femoral condyles. Knees in the treatment group received daily intra-articular injections of the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk for 7 days, while the control group received injections of vehicle alone. Seven days postinjury, one group of rabbits was sacrificed to assess levels of chondrocyte PCD. A second group was sacrificed 42 days postinjury for histological evaluation to measure cartilage degeneration and cartilage repair. RESULTS: Seven days postinjury, there was a 45% reduction in chondrocyte PCD in the caspase inhibitor treated knees as compared to controls (P=0.01). Forty-two days postinjury, treated knees were found to have 17.9% greater chondrocyte survival (P<0.01) and 7.6% greater articular cartilage thickness (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular administration of the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk effectively blocks chondrocyte PCD following experimental osteochondral injury in this model. Inhibition of chondrocyte PCD rescues chondrocytes that would otherwise die, limiting subsequent cartilage loss. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that short-term inhibition of chondrocyte PCD leads to long-term preservation of cartilage in vivo.     

全关节镜下膝关节后外复合体重建

目的 介绍全关节镜下腘肌腱重建、腘肌腱联合腘腓韧带重建或膝关节后外复合体(posterolateral corner,PLC)解剖重建的手术技术,探讨全关节镜下PLC重建治疗膝关节后外不稳定的效果.方法 2008年8月至2010年4月,共完成全关节镜下后十字韧带(posterior cruciate ligament,PCL)+PLC重建手术34例.患者在接受手术时平均年龄34.1岁(15～52岁);男32例,女2例;从受伤到手术平均10.7个月.所有病例均为陈旧性损伤,且均为复合韧带损伤.所有PCL损伤的病例都存在PLC损伤.合并前十字韧带损伤6例(17.6%),合并前十字韧带、内侧副韧带损伤2例(5.9%),合并内侧副韧带损伤5例(14.7%).对膝关节PLC损伤进行分型,采用不同的重建技术进行治疗.对于A型旋转不稳定,采用全关节镜下腘肌腱重建、腘肌腱联合腘腓韧带重建;对于C型后外不稳定,采用全关节镜下PLC解剖重建.结果 14例患者获得随访并进行二次关节镜检查,平均随访18.5个月(13～25个月).终末随访包括:膝关节查体、KT-1000测量、膝关节应力像和胫骨外旋稳定性.使用膝关节应力像测量胫骨后移程度,胫骨后移由术前平均15.56mm减少为术后5.16mm,手术前后差异有统计学意义.使用屈膝30°位胫骨外旋试验评估膝关节后外旋转不稳定.对比患侧与健侧胫骨外旋的差值,由术前平均14.92°减小为术后-0.22°,手术前后差异有统计学意义.术后患者平均屈曲受限4.23°,无伸膝受限.结论 对于膝关节PLC损伤导致的不稳定,采用全关节镜下PLC重建的手术技术,能够有效恢复膝关节后外旋转不稳定.这种手术技术能够与PCL重建联合应用.

Abstract：

Objectiye To introduce the surgical technique of arthroscopy assisted anatomical posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction,including popliteal ligament,popliteofibular ligament and lateral collateral ligament,and evaluate the results of this technique.Methods From August 2008 to April 2010,34arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and PLC reconstruction surgeries were performed.The average age of the patients was 34.1 (15-52) years.There were 32 males and 2 females.The average time period from injury to surgery was 10.7 months.All patients were chronic injuries and combined ligament injuries,including PCL and PLC injuries.Some cases had other ligament injury,including 6 patients of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (17.6%),2 of ACL combined medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injuries (5.9%),and 5 of MCL injuries (14.7%).According to Fanellis classification,for type A posterolateral rotation instability,we performed arthroscopic popliteal ligament reconstruction or popliteal ligament combined popliteofibular ligament reconstruction.For type C posterolateral instability,we performed arthroscopic PLC anatomical reconstruction.Results During the follow-up period,14 patients had undergone a second look arthroscopic examination and removal of hardware.The average follow-up time was 18.5 months (13-25 months).At the final follow-up,physical examination,stability evaluation with KT-1000 and Telos stress view,and dial test were performed.The posterior displacement of the knee had decreased from 15.56 mm preoperatively to 5.16mm postoperatively.The external rotation instability had decreased from 14.92° preoperatively to -0.22°postoperatively.The average limitation of knee flexion was 4.23° and no knee extension was limited.Conclusion With the surgical technique of arthroscopy assisted anatomical PLC reconstruction,we can restore the external rotation stability of knee.This technique can be performed combine with PCL reconstruction.     

距骨骨软骨损伤的治疗研究进展

距骨骨软骨损伤是运动医学中具有挑战性的疾病之一。临床治疗策略包括保守治疗和手术治疗,保守治疗在儿童患者中效果最佳,对于成人患者常常选择进行手术治疗。目前常见的外科手术治疗方案包括关节镜下骨髓刺激、自体软骨细胞植入、自体骨软骨移植、同种异体骨软骨移植或同种异体青少年软骨微粒移植等。关节镜下骨髓刺激技术(特别是微骨折)适用于较小的病灶,是常见的一线治疗方案,中短期临床疗效令人满意,但长期疗效有待进一步观察。自体骨软骨移植常用于伴有较大囊性病变的距骨骨软骨损伤患者,有着较好的中短期临床疗效,然而术后存在囊肿复发和供区并发症的发生。近年来有大量文献报道其他生物治疗措施,如骨软骨损伤区域注射富含血小板血浆、或者浓缩骨髓细胞等,均有一定的临床疗效。本文对这些技术的应用细节和疗效进行综述,目的是为临床医生能够更好地治疗距骨骨软骨损伤提供依据。     

Cartilage repair: A review of Stanmore experience in the treatment of osteochondral defects in the knee with various surgical techniques

Articular cartilage damage in the young adult knee, if left untreated, it may proceed to degenerative osteoarthritis and is a serious cause of disability and loss of function. Surgical cartilage repair of an osteochondral defect can give the patient significant relief from symptoms and preserve the functional life of the joint. Several techniques including bone marrow stimulation, cartilage tissue based therapy, cartilage cell seeded therapies and osteotomies have been described in the literature with varying results. Established techniques rely mainly on the formation of fibro-cartilage, which has been shown to degenerate over time due to shear forces. The implantation of autologous cultured chondrocytes into an osteochondral defect, may replace damaged cartilage with hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage. This clinical review assesses current surgical techniques and makes recommendations on the most appropriate method of cartilage repair when managing symptomatic osteochondral defects of the knee. We also discuss the experience with the technique of autologous chondrocyte implantation at our institution over the past 11 years.     

Current concepts: treatment of osteochondral ankle defects

Osteochondral ankle defects cause various symptoms including pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. When surgical treatment is necessary, several treatment options exist. Arthroscopic debridement and drilling, arthroscopic autologous osteochondral transplantation (mosaiclasty), and autologous chondrocyte transplantation are discussed more extensively. Treatment results of each technique are discussed, and a guideline for treatment is presented.     

Arthroskopische M?glichkeiten biorekonstruktiver Verfahren bei Knorpelsch?den der Schulter

Chondral or osteochondral lesions of the shoulder may lead to premature osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint as regeneration of damaged articular cartilage is lacking. Rising health awareness, increasingly active populations and improvements in medical techniques have increased the application of cartilage regenerative minimally invasive approaches for glenohumeral joint preservation or delayed prosthetic replacement. In contrast to the conclusive and mostly convincing mid-term results of cartilage regenerative techniques known for the knee, clinical results of innovative therapeutic approaches with glenohumeral cartilage defects are more or less absent. Current techniques include procedures for mesenchymal stem cell recruitment, such as microfracturing, (autologous) osteochondral transplantation, (matrix-associated) autologous chondrocyte transplantation and biological resurfacing, addressing focal chondral defects up to massive structural osteochondral defects. With increasing arthroscopic applicability, they evolve to important tools in the armamentarium of the shoulder surgeon. Future clinical data will determine evidence-based applicability, enabling standardized treatment selection.     

Comparison of MRI and arthroscopy in modified MOCART scoring system after autologous chondrocyte implantation for osteochondral lesion of the talus

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy have frequently been used to evaluate articular cartilage. Many studies have compared the accuracy of MRI to that of arthroscopy. However, there have been no previous comparison studies between MRI and arthroscopy in the evaluation of repaired cartilage after autologous chondrocyte implantation using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scoring system. The purpose of this study was to compare the results between MRI and arthroscopy after autologous chondrocyte implantation of an osteochondral lesion of the talus using a modified MOCART scoring system. Our study investigated 27 consecutive cases in 26 patients who underwent follow-up MRI and second-look arthroscopy 1 year following autologous chondrocyte implantation based on their osteochondral lesion of the talus diagnosis. According to the comparison results of those 5 categories, the agreement between MRI and arthroscopy evaluation results was statistically significant with good reliability in the categories of the degree of defect repair and defect filling, the quality of repaired tissue surface, and synovitis. However, the integration with the border zone and the adhesion category showed poor to moderate reliability. There has been no well-established correlation method between arthroscopy and MRI after autologous chondrocyte implantation of an osteochondral lesion of the talus.     

Basic science and treatment options for articular cartilage injuries

Articular cartilage injuries can produce significant musculoskeletal morbidity for both young and active aging patient populations. The complex and highly specialized composition of normal hyaline cartilage makes treatment of focal chondral injuries a formidable challenge for the basic scientist, surgeon, and physical therapist. The current array of surgical treatment options offers palliative, reparative, and restorative treatment strategies. Palliative options include simple arthroscopic debridement. Reparative strategies utilize marrow stimulation techniques to induce formation of fibrocartilage within the chondral defect. Restorative tactics attempt to replace damaged cartilage with hyaline or hyaline-like tissue using osteochondral or chondrocyte transplantation. Furthermore, while treatment success is obviously dependent on good surgical selection and technique, the importance of sound, compliant postoperative rehabilitation cannot be understated. The purpose of this article is to review the basic science of articular cartilage, current treatment options available, and outline the clinical decision making involved when using these procedures by presenting the algorithm used at our institution for treating focal cartilage lesions.