Suture fixation as a treatment for acute traumatic osteochondral lesions

This is a report on the treatment of traumatic osteochondral lesions with s uture fixation. Equivocal results from traditional, conservative treatment modalities have resulted in a recent surge in research in this area. Litera ture reports of treatments for these lesions often rely on a fibrocartilage healing response that exhibits inadequate weight bearing, lubricating,and durability qualities. We describe here a method by which a large, intact os teochondral fragment over the articulating, weight-bearing portion of the p atella may be repaired using suture. This method allows for the preservatio n of the articular topography without many of the complications seen using other fixation techniques.