Chondromalacia of the Patella: A Follow-Up Study of 25 Cases Treated with Chondrectomy

Degeneration of the patellar cartilage is a phenomenon described long ago (Biidinger 1906), and many studies on chondromalacia of the patella (ChP) have been published (Bwre 1936, Hinricsson 1939, Wiberg 1941, Friberg 1941, Hirsch 1944).Nonetheless many etiological and therapeutic problems remain to be solved.The purpose of this study was to discuss these problems on the basis of a clinical series. M A T E R I A LThe series consists of all ChP cases operatively treated at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, during the years 1952-1969.Follow-up examinations were carried out in 1970.The series comprises 35 patients treated by shaving of the degenerated patellar cartilage.Patellectomy was not performed i n any case.In addition, the degenerated cartilage of the medial or lateral femoral condyle was removed i n 7 and 4 patients, respectively, and the medial or lateral meniscus was removed in 9 and 3 patients, respectively, including a cyst in the lateral meniscus.A loose intra-articular fragment was removed in 9 cases, and partial synovectomy was performed in 2 cases.Sequalae of a healed