• R M Jeuken, P P W van Hugten, A K Roth, BoymansT A E JTAEJDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Preservation Clinic, Caphri School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands., J Caron, A Weber, R J H Custers, and P J Emans.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Preservation Clinic, Caphri School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. r.jeuken@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Aug 1; 143 (8): 517551885175-5188.

BackgroundThis study surveyed Dutch orthopedic surgeons on the management of cartilage defects in the knee and the adherence to the recently updated Dutch knee cartilage repair consensus statement (DCS).MethodsA web-based survey was sent to 192 Dutch knee specialists.ResultsThe response rate was 60%. Microfracture, debridement and osteochondral autografts are performed by the majority, 93%, 70% and 27% of respondents, respectively. Complex techniques are used by < 7%. Microfracture is mainly considered in defects 1-2 cm2 (by > 80%) but also in 2-3 cm2 (by > 40%). Concomitant procedures, e.g., malalignment corrections, are performed by 89%. Twenty-one percent of surgeons treat patients aged 40-60 years. Microfracture, debridement and autologous chondrocyte implantation are not considered to be highly affected by age > 40 years by any of the respondents (0-3%). Moreover, for the middle-aged there is a large spread in treatments considered. In case of loose bodies, the majority (84%) only performs refixation in the presence of attached bone.ConclusionSmall cartilage defects in ideal patients may be well treated by general orthopedic surgeons. The matter becomes complicated in older patients, or in case of larger defects or malalignment. The current study reveals some knowledge gaps for these more complex patients. Referral to tertiary centers might be indicated, as is stated by the DCS, and this centralization should enhance knee joint preservation. Since the data from present study are subjective, registration of all separate cartilage repair cases should fuel objective analysis of clinical practice and adherence to the DCS in the future.© 2023. The Author(s).

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