Evidence-based treatment of articular cartilage lesions in the knee

Abstract

Articular cartilage lesions are extremely prevalent in young, athletic patients and are often found during knee arthroscopy. This review analyzes the current treatment methods available for articular cartilage lesions, such as bone marrow stimulation, autologous chondrocyte implantation, particulated juvenile cartilage allograft, osteochondral autograft transfer, and osteochondral allograft transplantation as well as the evidence available for each treatment. While there are a variety of treatments available with promising short-term outcomes, the current literature fails to provide both evidence on the long-term effects of these procedures and evidence of a superior technique for treatment of articular cartilage lesions.