The subchondroplasty procedure (SCP) is a minimally-invasive knee preservation technique for patients with knee pain secondary to bone marrow lesions.
Bone marrow lesions (BML) in the knee can be seen on MRI scans and they represent bone healing in response to insufficiency fractures or stress. On the scans, they appear as a hazy white area against the background. BMLs can cause pain and are unable to support the overlying cartilage, thus leading to cartilage degeneration and eventually painful arthritis.
During surgery, your surgeon will use X-rays to insert a small cannula into the affected bone. He will then fill the affected bone defect with a highly porous injectable calcium phosphate known as Bone Substitute Material (BSM). Within a few minutes, the BSM hardens to form a scaffold in the bone. Over time, the BSM is resorbed and replaced with new bone.
The SCP procedure is usually performed together with arthroscopy to visualize and treat other injuries inside the knee joint.
When is subchondroplasty required?
SCP may be considered in patients with significant knee pain secondary to bone marrow lesions or mild to moderate arthritis. These patients would have already explored conservative care or other interventions for their symptoms but did not experience any resolution to their pain.
What are the benefits of subchondroplasty?
SCP is a minimally invasive procedure to manage the pain and disability from knee arthritis and bone marrow lesions. The bone substitute material takes 10 minutes to harden and significantly alleviate the pain.
Patients can bear their full weight as soon as surgery is complete. They need not use any walking aid or crutches after surgery.
There is no downtime after surgery.
This procedure may be done for younger patients who wish to avoid a formal partial or total knee replacement.
Subchodroplasty may be done under light sedation and may be considered for patients who are not fit enough for a formal general anaesthesia.
Is subchondroplasty painful?
SCP is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done under local anaesthesia or with light sedation. Patients do not experience any pain during the procedure and are allowed to bear their full weight immediately after surgery.
Simple analgesia such as paracetamol or arcoxia are sufficient for minor post-operative discomfort.
How long does it take to recover from an SCP procedure?
As this is a minimally invasive procedure which takes the bone marrow substitute only 10 minutes to harden, patients are allowed to bear their full weight immediately after surgery.
Any small skin incision requires up to 10 days to heal.
Why is subchondroplasty preferred at Orion?
We at Orion Orthopaedic Surgery believe in returning you to your healthy and active lifestyle with customised treatment options. As subchondroplasty specialists, we manage painful bone marrow lesions in your knee using keyhole techniques with minimal downtime to restore your physical function and quality of life.
Avoid or delay potential knee replacement surgery with this minimally-invasive procedure.
Conclusion
Subchondroplasty is minimally invasive technique with little downtime to manage painful bone marrow lesions in the knee. It is an ideal technique to prevent further deterioration of your knee and avoid or delay formal knee replacement procedures. Restore your knee and return to your active lifestyle today.
Know your options about knee pain or injuries by scheduling an appointment with our orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mizan Marican.
