[Chondromalacia of the patella and intraosseous pressure. A study of 43 patients].

There are some hints concerning a relationship between the intraosseous pressure and degenerative changes in hyaline cartilage. With a specially constructed cannula we evaluated the intraosseous pressure in 43 patients in relation to the joint position (Extension/Flexion). In two groups we compared patients with and without degenerative changes in the hyaline cartilage, diagnosed by arthroscopy. Our results show, that patients with a chondromalacia have an increase of intramedullary pressure. These changes were discussed in the possible role of the pathology of chondromalacia patellae and retropatellar arthrosis.