Results of Microfracture in the Osteoarthritic Knee with Focal Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects and Concomitant Medial Meniscal Tears

of the knee, including abrasion arthroplasty 4) , osteochondral autografting 5,6) , autologous chondrocyte implantation 7) , and microfracture.Microfracture is indicated for focal full-thickness loss of articular cartilage in a weight bearing area between the femur and the tibia or an area of contact between the patella and the trochlea.It is a technically simple, safe, and cost-effective treatment option for focal articular cartilage lesions of the knee.Although this technique may provide practical advantages for the surgeon, the published clinical outcomes are limited to young patients with traumatic focal defects 2,8,9) .For cartilage defects of an osteoarthritic knee, unicompartmental or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may demonstrate predictably favorable results.However, these options may not be appropriate for a patient who wants to maintain a high level of athletic activity.Thus, when a focal fullthickness cartilage defect is accidentally found in a patient with osteoarthritis while undergoing an arthroscopic procedure for a meniscal lesion or a loose body, a treatment decision needs to be made for the cartilage defect.Most surgeons have not performed microfracture for cartilage lesions in the osteoarthritic knee when diffuse, multiple, or large lesions are found on the joint surface.However, treatment options for small and focal lesions vary according to the surgeon's preference.In this situation, Results of Microfracture in the Osteoarthritic Knee with Focal Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Defects and Concomitant Medial Meniscal Tears