Treatment of Knee Chondral Defects in Athletes

Background: Knee chondral defects are a common issue among athletes, often resulting from traumatic injuries or chronic overuse. These defects can significantly impair athletic performance, limit mobility, and lead to long-term joint deterioration, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. Understanding the pathophysiology of these defects, along with effective treatment methods, is crucial for restoring function and promoting a return to sports. Various surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available, each with differing efficacy and recovery timelines. Methods: This review analyzes current treatment modalities for knee chondral defects in athletes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies published between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۲۳ were reviewed, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and meta-analyses that addressed treatment outcomes, methodologies, and patient demographics. The key treatments discussed include microfracture technique, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT), and scaffold-based techniques. Each method's procedural details, rehabilitation protocols, and reported clinical outcomes were summarized to evaluate effectiveness. Results: The findings demonstrate that microfracture remains the most commonly performed procedure due to its minimally invasive nature and relatively quick recovery time. However, its longevity in cartilage repair is often questioned, particularly for larger defects. On the other hand, ACI has shown promising results in terms of durability and functionality but requires a longer rehabilitation period, which may not suit all athletes. Osteochondral autograft transplantation has been favored for localized defects, providing immediate structural support, leading to excellent outcomes in young, active individuals. Scaffold-based techniques are gaining traction as they offer a balance of flexibility and biological enhancement, though further studies are necessary to establish long-term efficacy. Conclusion: In conclusion, the treatment of knee chondral defects in athletes is multifaceted and influenced by factors such as defect size, location, and the athlete's level of activity. While several surgical options have been explored, the choice of treatment should be tailored to the individual athlete's needs and goals for recovery. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, comparative effectiveness of the methods, and the development of innovative techniques that can enhance cartilage repair and regeneration.

کلیدواژه ها:

Knee chondral defects ، athletes ، microfracture ، autologous chondrocyte implantation ، osteochondral autograft transplantation