The influence of subchondral vascularisation on chondromalacia patellae.

Bethlehem Hospital Stolberg, Orthopaedic Division, Germany.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1996;115(6):313-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00420322.

An experiment was carried out on 40 rabbits in which the blood supply to the patella was interrupted for periods from 2 weeks to 6 months. With prolonged ischaemia, there were clear changes in the articular cartilage which were comparable with those seen in chondromalacia patellae.