Cartilage Lesions

 

Articular cartilage lesions is a collective term for injuries where the articular cartilage of the knee joint is affected. They can occur in patients of vary ages. Articular cartilage lesions in weight-bearing joints often fail to heal on their own and may be associated with pain, loss of function and long-term complications such as osteoarthritis.

 

Most articular cartilage defects are caused by trauma, which can either be one single impact injury or repeated micro injuries. These injuries are common in athletes and those playing active sports. Alternatively lesions can develop as a result of wear and tear from aging or degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Micro-fracture Procedure

 

Arthroscopic picture showing microfracture of the damaged joint surface and appearance of a new joint surface few months after the microfracture treatment.

 

Micro-fracture is a technique where multiple precise holes of optimum depth and at optimum interval are created in the bone to stimulate underlying stem cells to form smooth joint surface (cartilage like tissue).