APEX Knee Navigating Pearls and Pitfalls-Smaller Lesion Debate: MFX vs Autograft Transfer 1 (Faucett)

Smaller Lesion Debate: MFX vs Autograft Transfer 1 (Faucett)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Scott Fawcett from the Centers for Advanced Orthopedics discusses treatment options for small cartilage lesions—microfracture versus autograft transfer. He emphasizes thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation, lesion size, location, subchondral bone quality, and patient activity goals. Microfracture, a marrow stimulation technique, suits smaller, difficult-to-access lesions and complex topographies. Autograft transfer is preferable for larger, weight-bearing lesions, damaged subchondral bone, and uncontained defects, though it requires longer healing. Rehabilitation is critical post-treatment. Proper patient selection and addressing alignment or other knee issues are key. Both treatments show similar midterm success for small lesions, but choice depends on lesion specifics and patient factors.

Asset Caption

Scott C. Faucett, M.D., M.S.

Keywords

cartilage lesions

microfracture

autograft transfer

subchondral bone

rehabilitation