We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Microfracture Surgery?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,939
Share

Microfracture surgery is a joint cartilage repair procedure that involves purposely creating multiple tiny bone fractures underneath the damaged tissue. The bones respond to the fractures by producing stem cell-rich marrow and blood that produce new cartilage tissue. It is a very popular operation among elite athletes, as the recovery rate tends to be much quicker than more traditional procedures such as arthroplasty. Microfracture surgery is most frequently performed on knees and ankles, but the procedure can also be used to treat cartilage damage in the wrist, hip, or shoulder.

Cartilage damage due to an acute injury, arthritis, or another condition can cause severe joint pain and loss of motion. If a person delays medical care, cartilage is likely to deteriorate further and result in a debilitating, possibly permanent injury. Trainers and doctors often urge athletes to undergo microfracture surgery to repair their knees or ankles quickly, rather than pushing through injuries, to reduce the risk of a season- or career-ending complication. Athletes are usually able to return to their sports within a few weeks or months after microfracture surgery.

Before the procedure, the surgeon will carefully inspect x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the joint to identify the site and severity of cartilage damage. The patient is either given an injection of localized anesthetic near the joint or placed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made and skin, muscle, and cartilage tissue are pulled aside. An arthroscope, a thin tube containing a light and a camera, is inserted into the joint so the surgeon can view the joint on a computer screen.

With the help of the arthroscope, the surgeon can expose the underlying bone and mark several microfracture spots. A specialized awl with a very sharp point is used to puncture the bone at each mark. Any loose cartilage tissue is scraped away before removing the arthroscope and suturing the surgical wound. Microfracture surgery can usually be completed in less than two hours.

Following surgery, the patient is brought to a recovery room so nurses can tend to the wound and monitor his or her recuperation from the anesthesia. The patient can usually go home on the day of the surgery, equipped with pain medications and instructions for beginning light exercises. Stem cells begin producing new cartilage right away, and the joint starts its healing process within days of the operation. In most cases, patients are scheduled to attend regular physical therapy sessions for two to four months to gradually rebuild strength and flexibility.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-microfracture-surgery.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.