Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 adult male New Zealand White rabbits underwent wedge resection trochleoplasty of the femoral trochlea. Animals were divided into three postoperative groups: 4, 8, and 16 weeks. Gene expression of COL1A1, COL2A1, CD45, and CD31 in the repair tissue was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Results showed that COL1A1 expression was significantly elevated at 4 weeks and then declined, but remained higher than baseline at all time points. In contrast, COL2A1 expression progressively and significantly increased up to 16 weeks. The COL2A1/COL1A1 ratio improved over time. Expression of both CD45 and CD31 peaked at 4 weeks and subsequently declined significantly.

Conclusions: Wedge-resection trochleoplasty promotes progressive cartilage remodeling over time, with the most pronounced chondrogenic response observed at 16 weeks. These findings may help guide interpretation of postoperative healing after trochlear reconstruction and provide a molecular benchmark for future translational studies.