What is Microfracturing of the knee?

Knee microfracture surgery is a common procedure used to repair damaged knee cartilage. Cartilage helps cushion and cover the area where bones meet in the joints.

What is the purpose of microfracture?

Microfracture is a surgical technique that has been developed to treat chondral defects, which are damaged areas of articular cartilage of the knee. It is a common procedure used to treat patients with full thickness damage to the articular cartilage that goes all the way down to the bone.

How do you microfracture?

It is an arthroscopic procedure using a small sharp pick to create a network of holes in the bone at the base of the articular cartilage injury. These holes allow blood into the injured area to form a clot. Over time, this clot turns into organized tissue called fibrocartilage which fills in the injured area.

What are microfractures in bones?

Microfracture are tiny fractures in a bone caused when the force applied to a bone exceeds the strength of that bone. This can be achieved through strenuous activities such as running, dance, military training or gymnastics.

How long does it take to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?

You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your knee strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Do microfractures hurt?

After microfracture has been performed in the patella (kneecap) and the trochlear groove (the groove on the femur in which the patella glides during motion), some patients may develop mild transient pain. Small changes in the articular surface of the patellofemoral joint may produce a grating or “gritty” sensation.

How are microfractures repaired?

Repair methods range from non-operative injections of lubrication and growth factors to surgical interventions. These might include microfracture, cartilage plugs, cells grown in culture, matrices loaded with cells, articular cartilage paste grafting, or complete cartilage shell graft replacement.

Can microfractures increase bone density?

These modes of exercise elicit bone growth because the muscle pulls on the bone, causing micro-fractures. The body repairs these micro-fractures, which allows the bones to become denser and stronger.

Can you walk right after arthroscopic knee surgery?

Physical therapy starts right after surgery. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery with a brace. The patient is expected to walk with crutches for 4-6 weeks after surgery.

How long does it take microfractures to heal?

Depending upon the location of the microfracture and the size of the defect, it can take anywhere from 4 to 7 months to be able to heal to the point where patients can increase their activities and potentially initiate occasional impact activities.

Do microfractures strengthen bones?

… Now, what I left out was bone strengthening. The theory goes like this: Micro-fractures in bone cause rapid mineralization of the fracture site, filling it up with calcium to reform the bone. So by repeatedly causing these micro-fractures, over time it can lead to a much stronger bone.

How long do microfractures take to heal?

In most cases, this procedure can be performed as an outpatient, but it requires 6 to 12 weeks of rehabilitation. The ultimate maturation of this tissue can take 4 to 6 months. Optimal indication: Patients of any age with small- to medium-sized lesions surrounded by normal cartilage.

What are the 12 types of fractures?

Different types of bone fractures can be open, closed, stable, displaced, partial, or complete.

• Transverse Fracture. Transverse fractures are breaks that are in a straight line across the bone.
• Spiral Fracture.
• Greenstick Fracture.
• Stress Fracture.
• Compression Fracture.
• Oblique Fracture.
• Impacted Fracture.
• Segmental Fracture.

Does hitting shins make them stronger?

According to “Wolff’s Law,” microfractures – small dents or cracks – in your bone will strengthen it upon recovery. This process is called “cortical remodeling.” So, by carefully hitting your shins to create microfractures you indeed harden your shinbones and make them stronger as a result.

Does hitting your bones make it stronger?

To build bone, you have to beat it up. Your bones are nothing like the frame of a building. If a skyscraper’s steel skeleton is shaken by an earthquake, it weakens. But shocks to bone only make it stronger.

What is a microfracture procedure?

Overview. This arthroscopic procedure was first introduced about 20 years ago as a treatment method that uses the body’s own healing abilities and provides an enriched environment for tissue regeneration on the chondral surface. Since its development, the microfracture procedure has been used by its originator to treat more than 2000 patients.

Is microfracture right for You?

Microfracture can be an excellent procedure, providing substantial pain relief when done in the right patient. One of the concerns with microfracture is that it does not stimulate the growth of normal joint cartilage.

What factors are indications for microfracture?

This noise is often described as “snap, crackle, and pop”. After articular cartilage damage has been diagnosed, what factors are indications for microfracture? The patient has unstable cartilage covering the underlying bone. The patient has degenerative changes in a knee that is normally aligned.

What is the success rate of microfracture?

Since its development, the microfracture procedure has been used by its originator to treat more than 2000 patients. Of these patients, 75 to 80% experienced significant pain relief and improvement in the ability to perform daily activities and participate in sports.

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