**2. Diagnosis of articular surface damage**

The clinical diagnosis of a chondral injury by history and physical examination can be difficult, and may be a source of confusion (Speer et al, 1991).

The initial symptoms of this injury are often obscure, and the immediate disability may be slight. The symptoms are very suggestive of a torn meniscus because of catching, locking, and giving way of the knee (Gilley, 1981; cited by Speer et al, 1991). An accurate diagnosis of traumatic articular cartilage injury is essential as individuals with these lesions have a poor prognosis for rapid recovery. Their mean rehabilitation time is almost triple that of a routine knee meniscal injury (Speer et al, 1991).
