Joint surfaces pathology treatment with Pridie drilling

This is an article of two homogenic groups treatment comparison, with 25 patients in each. Between 1998 and 2001 twenty-five patients underwent osteochondral or chondral fragment excision with Pridie tunelisations and 25 patients (controls) – osteochondral/chondral fragment excision alone (O-CFE). Average follow-up was 12.4 (range 10–14 months) and 23.6 months (range 22–25 months). All patients were younger than 30 years of age. Patients were evaluated through ICRS and modified HSS scales, arthroscopicaly, histologically and with x-rays. A blinded research assistant performed all follow-up evaluations. Sixteen of 25 (64%) tunelised (Pridie) results were good and 9 (36%) – fair at the time of last follow-up. Twelve of 25 (48%) in O-CFE group results were good and 12 (48%) – fair 23.6 months post operations. Final modified HSS evaluation showed statistically significantly better results in the Pridie group at the 12.4 and 23.6 months (p=0.005). Last follow-up showed deterioration in both groups (p<0.05). At an average 23.6 months follow-up x-rays showed initial osteoarthritis signs in the knees. Consequently, we recommend Pridie tunelisation procedure until final indications of cartilage grafting techniques will be established