Chondral Defects
Articular cartilage covers the bones in the joint, and it's surface allows them to move smoothly against one another.
- Damage to articular cartilage on either the femoral head (ball) or acetabulum (socket) not related to arthritis
- -Damaged cartilage can lead to arthritis
- Cartilage does not heal itself well
- -Surgical techniques stimulate growth
Signs and Symptoms
- Painful catching in the joint
What causes chondral defects?
- Most commonly a result of:
- -Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
- -Injury
Surgical Treatment: Hip Arthroscopy
- Stabilize loose cartilage flaps (arthroscopic picture)
- -debridement and smooting of articular cartilage
- Microfracture (arthroscopic picture of microfracture)
- -all holes are created in exposed bone to allow new cartilage to form