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Microfracture for knee chondral defects: a survey of surgical practice among Canadian orthopedic surgeons

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of microfracture surgery for knee chondral defects among Canadian orthopedic surgeons.

Methods

All orthopedic surgeon members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association were invited to participate in a survey, designed to explore the microfracture technique used by orthopedic surgeons in the treatment for knee chondral defects The primary outcome measure was an emailed 26-item questionnaire, which explored indications for microfracture surgery, surgical techniques, types of postoperative rehabilitation regimes used and assessment of outcome. In addition, responses were compared between orthopedic surgeons with a sports medicine practice to surgeons with a non-sports medicine practice.

Results

The survey response rate was 24.6% (299/1,216), with 131 regularly performing microfracture. 41% of surgeons indicated that they had no upper limit for age at the time of surgery, and 87% indicated no upper limit for body mass index. The majority of respondents (97%) resected cartilage back to a stable margin, while 69% of respondents removed the calcified cartilage layer prior to creating holes. Only 11% of respondents used continuous passive motion (CPM) postoperatively, and 39% did not restrict weight bearing. Sports surgeons were more likely than non-sports surgeons to remove the calcified cartilage layer, use a 45° pick, use CPM and restrict weight bearing postoperatively (all P values < 0.05).

Conclusions

This survey on microfracture for knee chondral defects revealed widespread variation among surgeons regarding the indications for surgery, surgical technique, postoperative rehabilitation and assessment of outcome. Sports surgeons demonstrate better evidence-based practice than non-sports surgeons for a few important parameters.

Level of evidence

Cross-sectional survey, Level II.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Canadian Arthritis Network Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Women’s College Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, 476C-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G1X5, Canada

    John Theodoropoulos

  2. University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Women’s College Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, 476C-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Tim Dwyer

  3. University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Women’s College Hospital, St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Daniel Whelan

  4. University of Toronto, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Paul Marks

  5. University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Mark Hurtig

  6. University of Toronto Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Pankaj Sharma

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  1. John Theodoropoulos
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Correspondence to John Theodoropoulos.

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Theodoropoulos, J., Dwyer, T., Whelan, D. et al. Microfracture for knee chondral defects: a survey of surgical practice among Canadian orthopedic surgeons. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20, 2430–2437 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1925-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1925-6

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