• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and histological results of the osteoarthritic patients who had second look arthroscopy after microfracture surgery. Materials and Methods : From Oct. 1997 to Dec. 1998, 46 patients, 48 knees were treated by microfracture technique. In the 22 patients, 24 knees, 'second-look' arthroscopies and biopsies were performed at 6 months following microfracture. Three patients were men and 19 patients were women. Average age of the patients were 58 years (range, 40-75 years). The average follow up period was 12 months(7-20 months). We analysed clinical results according to the nine-point scale. Also we observed type II collagen formation with immunohistochemical staining. Results : Clinical results were excellent in 83% and good in 17%. Among the 24 knees, more than 80% areas of chondral defect were covered with regenerated cartilage in 21 knees. Histologically, the regenerated tissue appears to be a hybrid of hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage. Regenerated cartilage contains variable amount of type II collagen with immunohistochemical staining. Conclusion : Most of the patients had significant improvement clinically. 'Second-look' showed that the chondral defect areas were covered with newly grown grayish white tissue. Microfracture in the full thickness chondral defect provides and enriched environment for cartilaginous tissue regeneration.