title: Clinical outcome following the first-line, single lesion microfracture at the knee joint.
abstract: METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Level of evidence, 4.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Arthroscopic microfracture of chondral defects across the knee joint is a frequent treatment modality. There is only limited information on the clinical outcome in patients without previous surgery and single lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of clinical outcome following microfracture in patients without previous surgery and single lesions and identification of prognostic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria were patients with single-lesion knee joint first-line microfracturing at minimum 2 years postoperatively. Charts were reviewed to identify patient and defect characteristics. Clinical outcome was evaluated by IKDC and Lysholm knee scores, Tegner activity scale and a numeric analogue scale (NAS) for function and pain (10 = highest possible function, no pain).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally, 145 patients (age at operation 47.92 ± 15.7) met inclusion criteria. Average defect size was 2.7 ± 1.9 cm(2). Postoperatively, IKDC was 73.1 ± 18.5, Lysholm 77.6 ± 19.1, Tegner 4.5 ± 1.7, NAS pain 6.5 ± 2.6 and NAS function 6.4 ± 2.3. Significantly better clinical outcome was observed in male patients than in female patients. Regression analysis including all patient and defect characteristics highlighted that singly the parameter shorter symptom duration (P = 0.018) significantly predicted an improved postoperative clinical outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microfracturing results in a satisfying clinical outcome, but no full recovery in patients without previous surgery and single lesions. Specific parameters facilitate outcome prognosis and therefore may aid in indicating surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, Freiburg, Germany. giansalzmann@yahoo.com
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Salzmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Südkamp
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niemeyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054544:Arthroplasty, Subchondral; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome