(iv) Treatment options for articular cartilage damage in the knee

Chondral damage within the knee of young patients remains a challenge to orthopaedic surgeons, with the chance of resulting mechanical symptoms limiting activity and the risk of progression to osteoarthritis. There are a number of different treatment options which utilize one of two principles for filling chondral defects: either bone marrow stimulation leading to fibrocartilaginous repair or transplantation of mature hyaline cartilage into the defect. In this article we review the current treatment options for symptomatic chondral damage within the knee, discussing the basic science, techniques involved and the evidence supporting each method.