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Crowley, S.G., Swindell, H.W., Saltzman, B.M., Ahmad, C.S., Popkin, C.A. and Trofa, D.P. (2021) Rehabilitation Variability Following Femoral Condyle and Patellofemoral Microfracture Surgery of the Knee. Cartilage, 13, 1801S-1813S.
https://doi.org/10.1177/19476035211025818

has been cited by the following article:

• 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.