Chondral lesions

Chondral lesions are usually caused by a sprain or by an RTA with direct compression of the articular cartilage. The pathologies range from blistering to full thickness flap tears.

These lesions are frequently missed because of normal XR in A/E. If such lesions are suspected, then ankle arthroscopy is the only sure way to diagnose them with a full examination of anterior and posterior compartments required.

Arthroscopic surgery is straightforward resecting chondral flaps to stable base and drill exposed bone (85) to encourage vascular invasion and fibrocartilage formation.

Ankle arthroscopic debridement and lavage parallels that of arthroscopic treatment of DJD in other joints (86).

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References
(85) Cheung H S, Cottrell W H, Stephenson K, Nimni M E, ?In vitro collagen biosynthesis in healing and normal rabbit articular cartilage? JBJS 1978; 60A:1076
(86) Aichroth P M, Patel D, Moyes S T , ?Arthroscopic Debridement for Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee? SICOT (International Orthopaedics ) 1991; 1:p 351-355