APEX Advanced Comprehensive Knee Arthroscopy-Online Didactic (June 2021)-Smaller Lesion Debate: MFX vs Autograft Transfer 2

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Clay Nully from the University of Missouri discusses the debate between microfracture and autograft transfer for treating cartilage injuries. Cartilage injuries are common, but they do not heal well due to limited blood supply and cell migration. Treatment algorithms are complex due to lesion-specific differences. Rehabilitation protocols and managing patient expectations are important. Microfracture is a simple procedure with good short-term outcomes, but it may have complex rehab and long-term functional decline. Autograft transfer uses mature cartilage and has excellent bone and tissue incorporation, but there are limitations in donor site availability and procedure difficulty. Autograft transfer has superior clinical results and return to sport rates compared to microfracture. Microfracture is less prevalent nowadays, especially for high-level athletes. In conclusion, microfracture is only suitable for small lesions in low-demand patients, while autograft transfer is ideal for smaller cartilage defects.

Asset Caption

Dr. Clayton W. Nuelle

Keywords

microfracture

autograft transfer

cartilage injuries

rehabilitation protocols

return to sport rates