Nathan H Varady, Nicolas Pascual-Leone, Sabrina M Strickland
{"title":"Patellofemoral Joint Preservation: Cartilage Restoration, Unloading, and Avoiding Complications.","authors":"Nathan H Varady, Nicolas Pascual-Leone, Sabrina M Strickland","doi":"10.1097/JSA.0000000000000459","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patellofemoral (PF) chondral lesions are a common source of knee pain and disability, typically arising from traumatic (instability/fracture) or degenerative (overload) etiologies. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on PF joint preservation with an emphasis on avoiding complications. We highlight the importance of defining lesion characteristics and identifying the primary mechanical driver(s) of chondral injury. We then summarize current and emerging cartilage restoration options. Finally, we emphasize that durable outcomes often require concomitant biomechanical optimization through mechanical unloading and soft tissue balancing. Collectively, this review aims to support informed surgical decision-making and maximize long-term survival of the PF joint.</p>","PeriodicalId":49481,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review","volume":"34 3","pages":"107-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JSA.0000000000000459","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/8/4 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"SPORT SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Patellofemoral (PF) chondral lesions are a common source of knee pain and disability, typically arising from traumatic (instability/fracture) or degenerative (overload) etiologies. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on PF joint preservation with an emphasis on avoiding complications. We highlight the importance of defining lesion characteristics and identifying the primary mechanical driver(s) of chondral injury. We then summarize current and emerging cartilage restoration options. Finally, we emphasize that durable outcomes often require concomitant biomechanical optimization through mechanical unloading and soft tissue balancing. Collectively, this review aims to support informed surgical decision-making and maximize long-term survival of the PF joint.
期刊介绍:
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review helps physicians digest the large volume of clinical literature in sports medicine and arthroscopy, identify the most important new developments, and apply new information effectively in clinical practice. Each issue is guest-edited by an acknowledged expert and focuses on a single topic or controversy. The Guest Editor invites the leading specialists on the topic to write review articles that highlight the most important advances. This unique format makes the journal more in-depth, authoritative, and practical than most publications in this field. The journal also includes dozens of full-color and black-and-white arthroscopic images and illustrations.