[Conservative treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions and patellofemoral osteoarthritis].

Background: The causes of patellofemoral cartilage lesions or joint degeneration are multifactorial. Small, traumatic cartilage lesions can be treated without relevant cartilage regenerative therapies. Surgical treatment is recommended for larger lesions (> 1 cm²).

Conservative therapy: Conservative therapy is the mainstay of treatment for incipient or advanced patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Consequently, a thorough examination is essential to identify the underlying factors and to establish precise and efficient treatment planning. An individualized, stage-appropriate, and multimodal treatment strategy, supported by comprehensive patient education, is critical for therapeutic success. In the presence of functional or muscular imbalances, physiotherapy and exercise therapy, potentially supplemented by EMG biofeedback training, play a central role. When combined with weight reduction, patellar taping, cryotherapy, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy, these measures form the foundation of any conservative therapeutic approach. In the acute phase, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids may be employed for pain relief. If non-injection-based interventions remain ineffective, an injection therapy option may be considered.