Cartilage injuries and cartilage damage (osteochondral lesions)

Articular cartilage is a smooth, elastic layer that covers the ends of the bones in a joint - comparable to the icing on a cake (see Fig. 1). It is nourished by the synovial fluid, which is why it is very poorly supplied with blood.

In the ankle joint, circumscribed cartilage damage can occur after injuries, which does not heal on its own due to poor blood circulation and can lead to persistent symptoms in the long term (see Figure 2).

Depending on the extent of the cartilage damage and the involvement of the underlying bone, various surgical treatment methods are available (see Figure 3).

As part of my work at Duke University, I developed and published a surgical treatment concept that is still considered a reference for numerous studies on cartilage injuries to the ankle. This concept offers a structured treatment pathway that takes into account the various degrees of severity and manifestations of circumscribed cartilage injuries.