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J Knee Surg 2015; 28(02): 145-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1373737
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Outcomes following Microfracture of Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Lesions of the Knee in Adolescent Patients

J. Richard Steadman
1   Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado
,
Karen K. Briggs
1   Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado
,
Lauren M. Matheny
1   Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado
,
Alyson Guillet
1   Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado
,
Chad M. Hanson
2   Desert Orthopaedic Center, Henderson, Nevada
,
S. Clifton Willimon
3   Children's Orthopaedics of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

06 September 2013

11 February 2014

Publication Date:
24 April 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document outcomes following microfracture for full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee in adolescents. Our hypothesis was that patients aged 18 years or less would have excellent outcomes and function following microfracture of full-thickness knee articular cartilage defects. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Patients < 19 years old with full-thickness knee articular cartilage defects treated with microfracture between January 1992 and June 2008 were identified. Surgical, demographic data, Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, and patient satisfaction were collected prospectively. A total of 26 patients (14 females, 12 males) met inclusion criteria. Average age was 16.6 years (range: 12–18.9 years). Ninety-six percent of lesions were patellar (37%) or femoral condyle defects (medial 26%, lateral 33%). Minimum 2-year follow-up was obtained in 22/26 patients (85%) with average follow-up of 5.8 years (range: 2.0–13.3 years). Average postoperative Lysholm score was 90 (range: 50–100). Median Tegner scale was 6 (range: 2–10). Median patient satisfaction with outcome was 10 (range: 1–10). Lysholm correlated with Tegner scale (rho = 0.586; p = 0.011) and patient satisfaction (rho = 0.70; p = 0.001). Average postoperative Lysholm score in males was 93 and 86 in females (p = 0.22). One patient underwent revision microfracture. This study showed that adolescent patients who underwent microfracture for treatment of full-thickness knee chondral defects demonstrated increased activity levels and excellent function following surgery.

Keywords

microfracture - articular cartilage - knee - adolescent
 

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