Cartilage Injury of the Knee: Current Controversies in 2022 (AANA22)-Articular Cartilage Defects_ My Perspective on Where We Have Been and Where It’s Going

Articular Cartilage Defects_ My Perspective on Where We Have Been and Where It’s Going

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker reflects on the history, present, and future of cartilage repair, emphasizing that damaged cartilage does not heal naturally, prompting various surgical and biological interventions. Early techniques included debridement and microfracture to stimulate marrow and fibrocartilage growth. Advances led to osteochondral autografts and FDA-approved cell-based therapies. Current management involves complex decision-making, factoring in defect size, patient demand, comorbidities, and load on the joint. Future directions focus on less invasive procedures, improved donor matching, biomarkers, and predictive modeling to optimize outcomes. Ultimately, load management and early intervention may be more critical than solely replacing cartilage.

Asset Caption

Brian J. Cole, M.D.

Keywords

cartilage repair

microfracture technique

osteochondral autografts

cell-based therapies

load management