Chondropathy

Classification according to ICD-10
M22.4	Chondromalacia patellae
M24.1	Other articular cartilage damage
M80-M94	Osteopathies and chondropathies
M96	Diseases of the musculoskeletal system following medical procedures, not elsewhere classified
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

In medicine, chondropathy is the generic term for pathological changes in the joint cartilage . Such changes can arise from a variety of causes, for example traumatic , degenerative or inflammatory .

diagnosis

MRI , diagnostic arthroscopy and typical changes in conventional x-rays of joints are used to establish the diagnosis .

The x-ray mainly shows the bony structure of the joint, with a narrowing of the joint space, for example, indicating cartilage degeneration. By contrast, the articular cartilage can be visualized using MRI.

The following form of classification is used for arthroscopy (Outerbridge classification from 1961):

• Grade 0: (normal) healthy cartilage
• Grade 1: the cartilage has a soft spot or blisters
• Grade 2: smaller cracks in the cartilage visible
• Grade 3: Damage (lesions) have left deep crevices (over 50% of the cartilage layer)
• Grade 4: the cartilage tear shows the underlying (subchondral) bone

The size and location of the respective defect are important. For example, defects that are smaller than 2 cm ² are considered small. The degree of pain accompanying chondropathy does not usually correlate with the degree of joint cartilage damage.

Consequences of cartilage damage

Because cartilage is free from nerves and blood vessels, shallow damage often does not cause pain. As the damage increases and the cartilage defect reaches the subchondral bone, the blood supply in the bone begins healing in the defect. Scar tissue, made up of a type of cartilage called fibrous cartilage, is then formed.

Cartilage damage has very little self-healing ability, so small articular cartilage defects can progress untreated over time. An articular cartilage defect, which may be small in the beginning, still has the potential to have a physical and chemical "domino effect" on the surrounding "normal" articular cartilage.

(→ For the treatment of joint cartilage damage, see osteoarthritis treatment )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ IRCS Classification of Cartilage Damage, www.traumascores.com
2. ↑ K. Hambly: Articular Cartilage Repair of the Knee.
3. ^ Y. Wang et al.: Factors affecting progression of knee cartilage defects in normal subjects over 2 years. In: Rheumatology 45, 2006, pp. 79-84. PMID 16188947

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !