Macroscopic analysis of the patella cartilage during total knee replacement

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is diagnoses and monitored with radiography. Arthroscopy is considered the most valid method for evaluation of cartilage lesions. The best way for grading, measure and dimension is direct visualisation. Methods : Patelar cartilage lesion was analysed macroscopically during 176 total knee replacement. The grading of cartilage lesion, by direct visualisation, indentified six diferents groups. Results: Patellar articular cartilage was damaged in all 176 cases. There was no evidence of association between grade of arthrosis, gender, side or age. There is an association between tricompartmental arthrosis, varus deformity, obesity and grade of patelar arthrosis. Conclusion: All classifications systems regarding the femoropatellar cartilage lesions are unrealistic. Important subchondral bone exposure occurred in 77,2% patelar articular surface.