Prognosis
The prognosis of a cartilage flake is usually good. Smaller defects can be treated directly without further complications. Larger defects are an urgent indication for surgery to be performed in order to reinsert the torn fragment. If this does not succeed and a larger cartilage defect remains, this can lead to long-term pain and restricted mobility and may require further treatment.If a cartilage flake is not detected and remains untreated, further cartilage damage can occur and the risk of more serious diseases such as osteoarthritis is greatly increased.
Causes
The most common cause of a cartilage flake is injuries in sports, for example during It can also occur in the context of other diseases, such as inflammation of the articular cartilage (synovitis), circulatory disorders of the joint bone (osteochondrosis dissecans), as well as adhesions and tumors in the area of the joint mucosa (chondromatosis). In rare cases, it can be the result of the introduction of foreign material, for example during an operation.
- Joint injuries
- Luxations and
- Torn ligaments
Diagnosis
The first examination of a cartilage flake is performed by a physician, in most cases an orthopedist or trauma surgeon. This doctor first takes a detailed medical history and performs a physical examination. Through various functional tests, the doctor can determine movement restrictions, malpositions and joint instabilities. However, the diagnosis of a cartilage flap can only be confirmed by means of ultrasound, X-ray or sectional imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Arthroscopy can be performed for further diagnosis and simultaneous therapy.
In which joints do cartilage flakes occur most frequently?
Cartilage flakes are most commonly found on the ankle and knee joints. On the one hand, this can be attributed to the anatomy of the joints, and on the other hand, these are the joints most frequently affected by sports injuries.
