Evidence-based status of microfracture technique: a systematic review of level I and II studies

Goyal D, Keyhani S, Lee EH, Hui JH · Arthroscopy

Good short-term results in young patients with small lesions, but treatment failures and osteoarthritis appeared at 5-10 years regardless of lesion size. Authors recommend restricting microfracture to small lesions with low postoperative demand.

Population

15 level I/II studies of knee microfracture (6 with long-term follow-up)

Intervention

Microfracture

Comparator

ACI, OAT, and other repair techniques within included trials

Limitations

Level I/II only but heterogeneous comparators and outcome instruments; n overlaps with other reviews of the same trials.