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.

Description

You will not feel any pain during the surgery. Three types of anesthesia may be used for knee arthroscopy surgery:

- Local anesthesia -- You will be given shots of painkillers to numb the knee. You may also be given medicines that relax you.

- Spinal anesthesia -- The pain medicine is injected into a space in your spine. You will be awake, but will not be able to feel anything below your waist.

- Regional anesthesia -- The pain medicine is injected in your thigh and groin area. Your lower leg and knee will be numb after the injection.

- General anesthesia -- You will be asleep and pain-free. 

The surgeon will perform the following steps:

- Make a very small incsions on your knee < 1cm.

- Place a long, thin tube with a camera on the end through this cut. This is called an arthroscope. The camera is attached to a video monitor in the operating room. This tool lets the surgeon look inside your knee area and work on the joint.

- Make another cut and pass tools through this opening. A small pointed tool called an awl is used to make very small holes in the bone near the damaged cartilage. These are called microfractures. 

These holes connect to the bone marrow to release cells that can build new cartilage to replace the damaged tissue.

Why the Procedure is Performed

You may need this procedure if you have damage to the cartilage, even In the knee joint or Under the kneecap.

The goal of this surgery is to prevent or slow further damage to the cartilage. This will help prevent knee arthritis. It can help you delay the need for a partial or total knee replacement.

This procedure is also used to treat knee pain due to cartilage injuries.

Risks

Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general are: Reactions to medicines, Breathing problems, Bleeding, Blood clots, Infection.

Risks of 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.

- The area with the unstable cartilage can get bigger with time as the degeneration progresses. This can give you more symptoms and pain.

- Increased stiffness of the knee.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Many people do well after this surgery. Recovery time can be slow. Many people can go back to sports or other intense activities in about 9 to 12 months. Athletes in very intense sports may not be able to return to their former level.

People under age 40 with a recent injury often have the best results. People who are not overweight also have better results.

Referance: MidlinePLus