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Microfracture Rehabilitation
What is the rehabilitation following microfracture treatment?
Weight-Bearing
The amount of weight put on the area of microfracture must be limited. This allows the cells to grow in develop in the area that underwent the microfracture treatment.
How to limit weight on the area of the microfracture depends on the location of the injury. When the microfracture is on the top of the shin bone (tibia) or the end of the thigh bone (femur), weight is limited by having a patient use crutches. When the microfracture is on the kneecap (patella) or within the groove for the patella (trochlea), knee motion must be limited because bending the knee will cause compression on this area.
Weight bearing is usually limited for 6 to 8 weeks, then gradually progressed over time. It may take 4 to 6 months before one can return to sport activities, and even longer to return to competition.
Professional athletes may be sidelined up to a year after microfracture surgery.