TITLE:
Early Weight Bearing Post Subchondral Microfracture Knee Arthroscopy: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Katon Harwood, Kelsey Fraser, John Spellman
KEYWORDS:
Microfracture, Patellofemoral Chondrosis, Patellar Maltracking
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: Traditionally physicians have advised patients to be non-weight bearing
post arthroscopic knee microfracture surgery for at least 2 to 8 weeks. The
microfracture procedure is a simple, low-risk method to
induce self-cartilage regeneration to focal lesions. The procedure has shown
that small fractures to the subchondral bone can recruit mesenchymal stem cells
and growth factors to regenerate the fibrocartilage without compromising the
subchondral plate. With the simplicity of this procedure and the positive
effect it can have on patients, it is
natural to want to push the bounds of rehabilitation to see what is necessary.
The patient in this case report exhibits the potential for positive outcomes
with early weight-bearing status in patients receiving microfractures via subchondral
drilling. This positive outcome, along with others, should encourage clinicians
to consider reestablishing evidence-guided rehabilitation
post microfracture with new studies. Shortened rehabilitation time would decrease
a barrier to surgery for many patients and would only enhance our treatment
with this surgical modality.