Diagnosis of knee cartilage injuries—an international Delphi consensus statement

Introduction

Articular cartilage injuries of the knee are a complex and challenging clinical pathology.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to establish consensus statements via a Delphi process on the diagnosis of knee cartilage injuries.

Methods

A consensus process on knee cartilage injuries utilizing a modified Delphi technique was conducted. Seventy-nine surgeons across 17 countries participated in these consensus statements. Eleven questions were generated on the diagnosis of knee cartilage injuries, with 3 rounds of questionnaires and final voting occurring. Consensus was defined as achieving 80% to 89% agreement, whereas strong consensus was defined as 90% to 99% agreement, and unanimous consensus was defined as 100% agreement with a proposed statement.

Results

Of the 11 total questions and consensus statements regarding the diagnosis of knee cartilage injuries developed from 3 rounds of voting, 0 achieved unanimous consensus, 8 achieved strong consensus, and 3 achieved consensus.

Conclusions

The majority of the statements regarding diagnosis achieved strong consensus, which related to aspects of the physical exam and history, imaging and documentation, and assessment of concomitant injury or bony malalignment that aid in surgical decision-making. The statements that did not achieve strong consensus were determining when a lesion is symptomatic, documentation of imaging, and when a diagnostic arthroscopy is indicated.