Role of Visco-Supplementation Following Micro- Fracture in Focal Chondral Lesions

Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay*

Received: February 11, 2018;   Published: February 27, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/OSMOAJ.2018.01.000102

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Abstract

Introduction: Cartilage lesions pose a significant problem to surgeons, at best being replaced by poorer quality fibrocartilage post micro-fracture. Hyaluronic acid has shown to inhibit joint degeneration and reduce joint inflammation. This study wishes to evaluate the outcome of visco-supplementation following micro-fracture.

Material & Method: Twenty one consecutive patients with chondral lesion less than 2 sq cm were treated with micro-fracture and post operatively randomly divide into two groups. One group was supplemented with intra-articular hyaluronic acid at 3 weeks post surgery. The patients were followed up at 3, 6 & 12 months for WOMAC score and IKDC score.

Results: The WOMAC score and IKDC score in the visco-supplementation group were significantly better than those of the non visco-supplementation group at 6 months (p=0.0001). At 12 months although the scores were significantly better than at 6 months, there was no significant difference between the two groups (WOMAC p=0.86, IKDC p=0.347).

Conclusion: Hyaluronic supplementations following micro-fracture ensure an early improvement in functional scores following micro-fracture. A longer follow up is necessary to evaluate its role in preventing further joint degeneration.

Keywords: Micro-fracture; Visco-supplementation; Hyaluronic acid

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