OBJECTIVETo provide reliable data on articular cartilage lesions in different age group of patients with symptomatic knees requiring arthroscopy, and to analyze the characteristics of articular cartilage lesions.

METHODSFrom November 2004 to September 2005, 568 patients were under arthroscopy in orthopaedics of Chinese PLA General Hospital. There were 242 males and 326 females, with a mean age of (43.0 +/- 11.2) years (ranged, 12 to 80 years). Surgery information including causes of injury, onset of symptoms, meniscus lesions, cruciate ligament pathology, articular cartilage lesions were collected by a special Data Management software. All the patients were divided into two groups : youth group and middle-aged group. The data of articular cartilage lesions of patients in the two groups were collected.

RESULTSThere were 923 articular cartilage lesions in 389 patients, and 13 lesions were iatrogenic. In youth group, 212 lesions were found in 121 patients, and the main cause of lesions was menisci menisci injury (57/121 cases). In middle-aged group, 711 lesions were found in 268 patients,and the main cause of lesions was osteoarthritis (218/268 cases). The articular cartilage lesions located majorly in the lateral femoral condyle, medial femoral condyle and patellae in patients of the two groups. The major depth of the lesion was grade IV (330 lesions) in middle-aged group and grade III (71 lesions) in youth group,respectively.

CONCLUSIONArticular cartilage lesions are common in patients under arthroscopy, and articular cartilage lesions of different age group of patients are different, so the best treatment method should be chosen regarding to age factors of patients.