Technique of Arthroscopically Assisted Transtrochanteric Drilling for Femoral Head Chondral Defects

Abstract

Microfracture is a marrow-stimulation technique in which damaged cartilage is drilled or punched, perforating the subchondral bone and generating a blood clot within the defect that matures into fibrocartilage. Microfracture for the treatment of small cartilage defects of the hip has shown good results. Arthroscopic procedures are less invasive than open procedures and have a reduced incidence of complications such as infection or avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Furthermore, arthroscopic procedures allow for a shorter recovery time, resulting in not only lower overall treatment costs but also higher patient satisfaction. Medial and parafoveal cartilage defects of the femoral head can be challenging to effectively microfracture using standard arthroscopy portals because of the acute angles required for instrument manipulation. This report describes a technique for microfracturing these challenging areas of the femoral head using a 2.7-mm K-wire and drilling in a transtrochanteric direction using arthroscopic and imaging guidance to target the area of chondral damage.