Cartilage Lesions of the Patella and Trochlea

Cartilage lesions affecting the patella and trochlea are common injuries that can lead to knee pain and overall decreased quality of life for our patients. These lesions can be classified as either chondral or osteochondral and can vary significantly in their size, location, and etiology. A thorough history, physical examination, and imaging studies are all paramount in making a correct diagnosis and ultimately in selecting the best treatment option. A number of different nonsurgical and surgical options have been described for these lesions and they will be discussed here in this chapter along with patellofemoral anatomy, demographics and etiology, rehabilitation protocols, and patient outcomes.