Cartilage Injury of the Knee (AANA20)-Get it Right the First Time!-Dr. Aaron J. Krych, M.D.

Get it Right the First Time!-Dr. Aaron J. Krych, M.D.

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this lecture, Dr. Aaron Kritsch discusses the standardized approach to treating knee cartilage injuries. After patient evaluation, thorough imaging—including standardized radiographs and 3T MRI—is critical to distinguish focal lesions suitable for cartilage restoration from diffuse osteoarthritic damage. Addressing underlying causes such as malalignment and meniscal deficiency is key to treatment success and preventing failure. Surgical planning considers lesion size, location, chronicity, and bone involvement, with options ranging from osteotomy to cell-based implantation or osteochondral grafts. Proper diagnosis and correction of background factors, along with managing patient expectations, are essential to “getting it right the first time” in cartilage injury management.

Keywords

knee cartilage injuries

cartilage restoration

3T MRI imaging

malalignment correction

osteochondral grafts