Management of articular cartilage defects

This paper discusses the management of articular cartilage defects. Osteochondral defects (OCD) may be traumatic or degenerative in origin. Arthroscopic surgery is the gold standard diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of OCD. The management of OCD remains controversial and over the last five decades various treatment options and surgical techniques have been tried to maximise the clinical outcome. In this article we review the current practice of management of OCD. We also highlight the most recent approaches and research and look to the future of management of OCD.