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Knee microfracture surgery - Risks

Alternative Names

Cartilage regeneration - knee

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Allergic reactions to medicines
Breathing problems The risks for any surgery are:
Bleeding
Infection
Blood clot

Risks for microfracture surgery are:

Cartilage breakdown over time. The new cartilage made by microfracture surgery is not as strong as the body' s original cartilage. It can break down more easily.
Increased stiffness of the knee.

The structure of a joint

Reviewed last on: 7/23/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

References

Beynnon BD, Johnson RJ, Brown L. Knee. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 23.

Saris DB, Vanlauwe J, Victor J, Almqvist KF, Verdonk R, Bellemans J, et al. Treatment of symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee: characterized chondrocyte implantation results in better clinical outcome at 36 months in a randomized trial compared to microfracture. Am J Sports Med. 2009 Nov;37 Suppl 1:10S-19S.

Basad E, Ishaque B, Bachmann G, Stürz H, Steinmeyer J. Matrix-inducedautologous chondrocyte implantation versus microfracture in the treatment ofcartilage defects of the knee: a 2-year randomised study. Knee Surg SportsTraumatol Arthrosc. 2010 Apr;18(4):519-27.

Hurst JM, Steadman JR, O'Brien L, Rodkey WG, Briggs KK. Rehabilitation following microfracture for chondral injury in the knee. Clin Sports Med. 2010 Apr;29(2):257-65, viii.

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