A Controlled Comparison of Microfracture, Debridement, and No Treatment of Concomitant Full-Thickness Cartilage Lesions in Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Reconstructed Knees: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study From Norway and Sweden of 368 Patients With 5-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND: The effect of microfracture (MF) or surgical debridement of concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesions in anterior cruciate ligament–reconstructed knees on patient-reported outcomes remains to be determined. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of debridement or MF compared with no surgical treatment of concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesions on patient-reported outcomes 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Included in this study were 644 patients who were registered in the Norwegian and the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registries from 2005 to 2008 as having undergone unilateral primary ACLR and having a concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesion (International Cartilage Repair Society [ICRS] grades 3-4). Of these patients, 129 were treated with debridement, 164 were treated with MF, and 351 received no surgical treatment simultaneously with ACLR. At 5-year follow-up, 368 (57%) patients completed results on the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the effect of surgical debridement or MF of concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesions on patient-reported outcomes 5 years after ACLR. RESULTS: Compared with no surgical treatment, there were no unadjusted or adjusted effects of debridement or MF of concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesions on KOOS scores at 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared with leaving concomitant full-thickness cartilage lesions untreated at the time of ACLR, debridement and MF showed no effect on patient-reported outcomes 5 years after surgery.