What is a chondral lesion knee?
A patellar chondral lesion is a type of damage to the articular cartilage of the knee. Patellar chondral lesions most often occur from a traumatic injury to the knee, such as sudden pivot or knee dislocation. However, patellar chondral lesions may occur due to wear-and-tear sustained over time.
What causes cartilage lesions?
Cartilage can become damaged due to a trauma such as a pivoting sport or when turning the knee or bending it deeply. Cartilage can also come loose due to damage in the underlying bone, OCD, or osteonecrosis.
What is a kissing lesion knee?
“Kissing contusion” refers to a bone contusion on both side of the knee joint. It is a rare (6.3% in this series) but significant injury, often associated with ligamentous or menisceal tears. Disabling symptoms are often prolonged.
What is Trochlear cartilage?
The patella rests in a groove on top of the femur called the trochlear groove. When you bend and straighten your knee, the patella moves back and forth inside this groove. A slippery substance called articular cartilage covers the ends of the femur, trochlear groove, and underside of the patella.
What is chondral damage?
A chondral defect refers to a focal area of damage to the articular cartilage (the cartilage that lines the end of the bones). An osteochondral defect refers to a focal area of damage that involves both the cartilage and a piece of underlying bone.
What is trochlear?
Introduction. The trochlear nerve is the fourth cranial nerve (CN IV) and one of the ocular motor nerves that controls eye movement. The trochlear nerve, while the smallest of the cranial nerves, has the longest intracranial course as it is the only nerve to have a dorsal exit from the brainstem.
Is osteochondral lesion serious?
Left untreated, osteochondral lesions may cause chronic pain and swelling, and may eventually limit the motion of the joint.
Can a chondral defect heal itself?
A chondral defect usually occurs following an injury such as a blow to the knee or other joints. Cartilage does not repair by itself and therefore other treatment is needed.
Can chondral defects heal?
In the lab, the cells are encouraged to multiply. This larger number of cells is then implanted into the defect under a soft tissue flap inserted by the surgeon. This is thought to regenerate normal, or at least closer-to-normal cartilage. This is expensive, but may be the closest to actually healing the defect.
Is surgery necessary for patella alta?
In severe cases of patella alta where the kneecap keep dislocating, or when conservative treatment fails, then surgery is necessary to effectively treat the condition.
When is surgery needed for patella alta?
If a patient has significant patella alta that is causing specific problems (instability and/or patellofemoral wear/pain) then this can be treated effectively by surgically shifting the patella downwards by however far is necessary to put it into the normal position.