Cartilage Surgery in the Juvenile

Cartilage injuries pose a challenging problem for the surgeon. This is especially true in the skeletally immature patient. Given the skeletal size of a juvenile patient, a seemingly small cartilage injury may represent a proportionally large area, respectively. An algorithmic approach to management of cartilage injuries in this population is helpful when determining treatment strategies to address cartilage injuries. Characterization of the lesion dimensions, cartilage health, and status of subchondral bone is quantified through the use of magnetic resonance imaging sequences. As several options exist for treating cartilage injuries, the comfort and training of the surgeon, along with a shared decision-making with the patient and family must be employed to optimize the most favorable outcome for the patient.

Duke Scholars

Author Alison Patricia Toth Orthopaedic Surgery