Cartilage grafting in the knee: where are we now?

Focal cartilage defects in the knee are a common and debilitating pathology. High arthroplasty revision rates in the <55-year-old population continue to make arthroplasty a limited primary surgical option. Advancements in surgical techniques and more robust long-term data on cartilage procedures have increased greatly in the last few years. Results vary and are dependent on matching suitable procedures to lesion and patient type. In this difficult-to-manage group, offering the right procedure to the right patient at the first instance has an important impact on outcomes. In this paper we review the evidence and new guidelines in the management of focal cartilage lesions of the knee.