Knee microfracture surgery Health Article

Definition

Knee microfracture surgery is a common procedure used to repair damaged knee cartilage. Cartilage is the material that helps cushion the area where bones meet in the joints. Often, athletes have this procedure.

Alternative Names

Cartilage regeneration - knee

Description

Three different types of anesthesia may be used for knee arthroscopy surgery:

• Your knee may be numbed with painkilling medicine, along with medicines to relax you
• Spinal (regional) anesthesia
• General anesthesia, where you will be unconscious and pain-free.

The surgeon will make a 1/4-inch-long incision (cut) on your knee.

• Then the surgeon will insert a long, thin device called an arthroscope through this incision. The arthroscope is like a camera. It is attached a video monitor in the operating room. It allows the surgeon to look inside your knee and work directly on the joint area. See also: Knee arthroscopy
• The surgeon uses a small pointed tool called an awl to make very small holes called microfractures (tiny breaks) in the bone near the damaged cartilage.
• The holes the surgeon makes in your bone release the cells in your bones that build new cartilage. Your body then builds new cartilage to replace the damaged cartilage.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Microfracture surgery is done on people who have small amounts of damage in the cartilage of their knee joint and on the underside of their kneecap. This surgery can help people avoid the need for a partial or total knee replacement. It is also used to treat pain in the knee from cartilage injuries.

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 and can break down after a few years.
• Increased stiffness of the knee.