An investigation of the frequency of co-existence of osteophytes and circumscribed full thickness articular surface defects in the knee join

Abstract

Osteophytes are osteochondral repair tissues formed usually at the margins of synovial joints in response to a more central full thickness articular cartilage defect. These defects can be managed using the autologous chondrocytes implantation technique or with composite osteochondral grafting. Materials for osteochondral grafting of circumscribed full thickness articular surface defects may be obtained from osteophytes. In this study, the frequency of co-existence of these two intra-articular lesions was studied prospectively in patients undergoing therapeutic arthroscopy for painful knee conditions. Thirty-three of 88 knees (37.5%) had full thickness articular surface defects and 23 of these (69.7%) had associated osteophytes formation.