Chapter 4A Bone Marrow Stimulating Techniques
Drilling, Abrasion Arthroplasty, and Microfracture
Introduction
The principle of bone marrow stimulating techniques involves the penetration of the subchondral bone plate to provide vascular access channels to the area of chondral defect. This allows for mesenchymal cells to fill the defect and provide a repair tissue fill of the articular cartilage defect. Three techniques are commonly used: abrasion arthroplasty,1 subchondral drilling,2 and microfracture.3
Steps Common to all Techniques
2. Utilizing an arthroscopic shaver or curette, debride the borders of the defect back to stable, vertical walls (Figs. 4A-2 and 4A-3).