Health Encyclopedia

Knee microfracture surgery

Definition

Knee microfracture surgery is a common technique used to repair damaged knee cartilage, the material that helps cushion bones at the joints. It is frequently performed on athletes.

Alternative Names

Cartilage regeneration - knee

Description

The surgeon makes a tiny, quarter-inch surgical cut on the affected knee and inserts a long thin scope (arthroscope). This scope allows the surgeon to work directly on the joint area.

The surgeon uses an ice pick-like tool called an awl to drill very small holes (“microfractures”) into the bone near the defective cartilage. The injury prompts the body to make new, replacement cartilage. Bone marrow seeps out of the holes, creating a blood clot that releases cartilage-building cells.

Indications

Microfracture surgery can help avoid a partial or total knee replacement. It is also used to treat pain in the knee from cartilage injuries, as well as:

Degenerative chondral lesions of the knee
Early arthritis of the knee
Lesions on the kneecap
Traumatic injuries to the cartilage

Risks

Risk for any surgery include:

Bleeding
Infection

Risks for microfracture include:

Cartilage breakdown. The new fibrocartilage created by microfracture surgery is less durable than the body’s original cartilage, and can break down after a few years.
Increased stiffness of the knee bone

Expectations after surgery

Most patients improve after surgery, and can return to sports (or other intense activities) in about 4 months.

Convalescence

Physical therapy may begin in the recovery room immediately after surgery. A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine gently flexes and extends the leg for 6 - 8 hours per day for several weeks.

The exercises are increased over time until you regain full range of motion. Such exercises are believed to speed up cartilage regrowth.

You will need to keep your weight off the affected joint for 6 - 8 weeks. You will use crutches to get around.

References

Ritchie PK. Surgical management of cartilage defects in athletes. Clin Sports Med. 2005 Jan;24(1):163-74.

Williams RJ 3rd, Harnly HW. Microfracture: indications, technique, and results. Instr Course Lect. 2007;56:419-428.

Kreuz PC, Erggelet C, Steinwachs MR, Krause SJ, Lahm A, Niemeyer P, et al. Is microfracture of chondral defects in the knee associated with different results in patients aged 40 years or younger? Arthroscopy. 2006;22:1180-1186.

Review Date:5/5/2008
Reviewed By:Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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