CME expires July 31, 2028

Go beyond traditional learning with a 360° perspective on orthopedic topics.

Each ICL360 is a cutting-edge CME course designed to provide a holistic learning experience, featuring curated video content sourced from expert-selected Instructional Course Lectures enhanced with insightful commentary and comprehensive assessment questions. This all-encompassing course goes beyond traditional learning by offering a complete 360° perspective on orthopedic topics. Explore additional resources, including full-text readings from the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), technique videos from Orthopaedic Video Theater (OVT), and links to external literature and PubMed. Elevate your clinical decision-making skills and gain a well-rounded understanding of essential orthopedic concepts with ICL360.

This Instructional Course Lecture (ICL) examines patellofemoral joint anatomy and biomechanics, highlighting factors that predispose patients to cartilage lesions, such as maltracking, trochlear dysplasia, and patellar instability. 

Editor 
Edward Walker Gallego, MD, FAAOS

Learning Objectives

• Identify key anatomic features and biomechanical properties of the patellofemoral joint that contribute to cartilage injury and chondral lesions.
• Explain the clinical evaluation process for patellofemoral cartilage lesions, including physical examination techniques and imaging studies, such as radiographs and MRIs. 
• Differentiate between various causes of anterior knee pain, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, patellar tendinitis, and chondral injuries, based on the patient history and the clinical presentation. 
• Analyze the role of limb alignment, patellar tracking, and anatomic variations in the development and progression of patellofemoral cartilage lesions. 
• Evaluate the advantages and limitations of nonsurgical treatment strategies, such as physical therapy, activity modifications, and injection therapy, for patellofemoral cartilage injuries. 
• Compare various surgical treatment options for patellofemoral cartilage lesions, including chondroplasty, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral allograft transplantation, considering their indications, techniques, and outcomes. 
• Assess the role of realignment procedures, such as tibial tubercle osteotomy and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, in optimizing the outcomes of patellofemoral cartilage restoration. 
• Apply knowledge of cartilage restoration techniques to select appropriate treatment options for patients with patellofemoral cartilage lesions, considering defect size, location, and patient activity level. 
• Examine the complications and long-term outcomes associated with patellofemoral cartilage surgery, including the effect of surgical treatment options on joint function and quality of life. 
• Integrate evidence-based practices into the management of patellofemoral cartilage lesions by reviewing the latest research on cell-based restoration techniques and osteochondral grafts.
• Formulate comprehensive postoperative rehabilitation plans, considering the type of surgery and the importance of progressive strengthening and functional training to optimize recovery and prevent complications. 
• Critique the advantages and challenges of emerging treatment options for patellofemoral cartilage lesions, including blood flow restriction therapy and particulated juvenile allograft cartilage. 

Earn up to 5 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits™.