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Microfracture surgery
An articular cartilage repair procedure to treat small areas of knee cartilage damage by making tiny holes in the bone surface to form new cartilage.
What is microfracture surgery?
Surface cartilage covers the ends of the bones that form your joints. Smooth, healthy cartilage allows the bones to glide across each other smoothly and painlessly as you move. If you have significant damage to an isolated patch of the surface cartilage in your knee, your consultant might recommend microfracture surgery to encourage new cartilage to form.
Need to know
Microfracture surgery is performed as a keyhole procedure (arthroscopic), which involves inserting a tiny camera called an arthroscope and specialised surgical instruments into small keyhole cuts around your knee. The arthroscope sends images to your surgeon via a monitor, which allows them to see the inside of your knee in detail.
Before the procedure, your consultant may suggest several tests, including an X-ray or MRI scan to assess your knee. They will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. Like all procedures, there may be some potential risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You should be able to go home the same day as your procedure. You will be given painkillers to help keep any discomfort to a minimum immediately following surgery. Ice may be helpful to reduce pain and swelling, as can elevating your leg.
To allow the microfracture to work, you will need to use crutches for several weeks, and you will likely need to use a continuous passive motion machine (CPM). CPM is an integral part of your recovery and return to your everyday activities. Your consultant will let you know what to expect and you may be given physiotherapy exercises to help improve your mobility as you recover. They will also let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Microfracture surgery locations
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
City of London - 31 Old Broad Street
City of London 31 Old Broad Street EC2N 1HT London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
The Waterfront Business Park, Beaufort House Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS Hertfordshire
Golders Green Outpatients
Roman House, 296 Golders Green Road Golders Green NW11 9PY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.