Editorial Commentary: Haven't We Seen This Somewhere Before? Laying the Foundation for Cartilage Restoration in Hip Preservation.

Abstract

Since its inception in the early 1980s, the microfracture procedure has been successfully used throughout the body to treat isolated full-thickness cartilage lesions. Although treatment of such injuries can be challenging, and outcomes variable, microfracture has afforded surgeons the ability to treat cartilage lesions in a single-stage fashion at the time of treatment for concomitant injuries. Whereas most research relating to the use of microfracture has focused on managing lesions in the knee, there continues to be interest in applying the same principles in other regions of the body. With the recent enthusiasm and procedural increase in hip arthroscopy and hip preservation procedures, evaluating the use of microfracture in the femoroacetabular joint is the next logical step in establishing treatment principles for cartilage defects in this location. Although we continue to innovate as orthopedic surgeons, and there have been recent declines in ardor for the use of microfracture, this sentiment has arisen only after decades of research and clinical advances. Because of this, continued work will be necessary to understand the limits of the microfracture procedure in hip preservation surgery. Early outcome studies are encouraging and continue to be an important platform on which to lay the foundation for further research and refinement of techniques and indications.