Microfracture versus Enhanced Microfracture Techniques in Knee Cartilage Restoration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the microfracture (MFx) and microfracture augmented (MFx + ) techniques for the treatment of cartilage defects of the knee. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from 1 January, 1950 to 1 May, 2019. RevMan5.3 was used to perform statistical analysis. Relative risk was calculated for binary variables, and weighted mean difference and standardized mean difference (SMD) were measured for continuous variables. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of each variable was assessed. Thirteen trials with 635 patients were included. There was a significant difference in the Lysholm's score (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.01–0.50, p = 0.04) and magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score (SMD = 14.01, 95% CI: 8.01–20.02, p < 0.01) between the MFx and MFx+ groups. There was no significant difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score (SMD =  − 12.40, 95% CI: −27.50 to 32.71, p = 0.11), International Knee Documentation Committee score (SMD = 8.67, 95% CI: −0.92 to 18.27, p = 0.08), visual analog scale score (SMD =  − 0.20, 95% CI: −2.45 to 0.96, p = 0.57), Tegner's score (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: −0.67 to 1.18, p = 0.59), modified Cincinnati's score (SMD =  − 4.58, 95% CI: −14.31 to 5.14, p = 0.36) and modified International Cartilage Repair Society pain score (SMD = 0.09, 95% CI: −0.37 ...
Source: Journal of Knee Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research