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Knee microfracture surgery

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Alternative Names:

Cartilage regeneration - knee

Risks:

Risk for any surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for microfracture include:

• Increased stiffness of the knee bone
• 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.

References:

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

Miller BS, Steadman JR, Briggs KK, Rodrigo JJ, Rodkey WG. Patient satisfaction and outcome after microfracture of the degenerative knee. J Knee Surg . 2004 Jan;17(1):13-7.

Orthopaedic knowledge update. In: Pellicci PM, Tria AJ, Garvin KL eds. Hip and Knee Reconstruction . Rosemont, Illinois: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2000.

Johnson, D. Articular Cartilage Update. Program and abstracts of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 70th Annual Meeting; February 5-9, 2003; New Orleans, Louisiana.

• Review Date: 3/9/2007
• Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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