Focal Chondral Damage

Focal chondral damage or defects are common and usually the result of an injury to the knee joint. It differs from knee arthritis which is caused by a progressive loss of cartilage through wear and tear.

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Focal Chondral Damage

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Focal chondral damage can appear in both healthy and arthritis knees but often can accelerate the development of knee OA.

Focal chondral cartilage is the substance that covers the ends of the bones in the knee joint. It is very tough and flexible and reduces friction, so the bones move smoothly against each other.

Chondral damage is typically caused by an injury to the knee joint, whether a direct blow, a fall or twisting. It often accompanies a ligament tear. Sometimes a piece of cartilage can detach and become trapped in the joint.

FAQs

+ What are the symptoms of chondral knee damage?

You may experience pain and swelling in the knee joint immediately after the trauma, especially if there is also soft tissue damage. If a loose fragment of cartilage and bone has broken away, then the knee joint can lock. However, some people do not experience any symptoms.

+ How is chondral knee damage diagnosed?

Mr David Houlihan-Burne will perform a comprehensive consultation, discussing your symptoms in full. Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, CT or MRI scans, will be ordered to assess the damage to the knee joint.

A knee arthroscopy may be advised; Mr Houlihan-Burne will insert a small camera into the knee to examine the joint and, if required, repair any damage using specialised instruments.

+ What are my treatment options if chondral knee damage is diagnosed?

Your knee joint cartilage does not have its own blood supply so, when it is damaged, it is unlikely to repair itself. There are several surgical options which can be employed and Mr Houlihan-Burne will discuss these with you in full during your consultation. These include trimming the loose fragments of the joint surface, resurfacing treatments, such as microfracture, mosaicplasty/osteochondral plugging, or autologous chondrocyte implantation, or focal replacement with metallic implants (hemicap).