microfracture
Minuscule bone break
Microfracture refers to a tiny crack in bone or other hard material, often too small to appear on standard X-rays.
In medicine, stress microfractures accumulate from repetitive strain: Runners often develop microfractures in their shins.
Microfracture is also an orthopedic surgical technique that creates small holes in bone to stimulate cartilage repair in damaged joints, particularly knees.
Minimally invasive joint procedure
- chondrocyteCell producing cartilage matrix
- knee jointLeg's middle articulation
- awlPointed piercing implement
- fibrocartilageDense, collagen-rich connective tissue
defect · lesion · drilling · bleeding · clot formation · orthopedic surgeon · minimally invasive · graft
Bone-forming cell
- osteocyteBone-maintaining cell in matrix
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
- growth factorsProteins stimulating cell proliferation
regeneration · proliferation · matrix · cytokines · rest · immobilization · recovery time · non-union
Bodily or emotional distress
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
sharp pain · dull ache · sensitivity · inflammation · limited mobility
Rehabilitative movement-based medical care
- range of motionJoint's movement capacity
- strengthening exercisesMovements that build muscle
- mobilityCapacity for movement
- crutchesMobility aids for injured
bracing · outpatient therapy · milestones · compliance · setback · full recovery
Narrow, barely visible fissure
- bone densityMineral content per volume
- periosteumFibrous bone covering
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- osteopeniaReduced bone mineral density
osteoporosis · skeletal system · weight-bearing · compression · load · biomechanics · imaging · MRI
Sports competitor
- knee injuryHarm to leg joint
- cartilage damageHarm to rubbery connective tissue
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- footballField sport with goals
soccer · running · jumping · pivoting · overuse · repetitive stress · shin splints · metatarsal
arthroscopy
Minimally invasive joint procedure
- chondrocyteCell producing cartilage matrix
- knee jointLeg's middle articulation
- awlPointed piercing implement
fibrocartilage · defect · lesion · drilling · bleeding · clot formation · orthopedic surgeon · minimally invasive · graft · implant
osteoblast
Bone-forming cell
- osteocyteBone-maintaining cell in matrix
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
growth factors · regeneration · proliferation · matrix · cytokines · rest · immobilization · recovery time · non-union
pain
Bodily or emotional distress
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- stiffnessResistance to deformation
discomfort · sharp pain · dull ache · sensitivity · inflammation · limited mobility
physical therapy
Rehabilitative movement-based medical care
- range of motionJoint's movement capacity
- strengthening exercisesMovements that build muscle
- mobilityCapacity for movement
crutches · bracing · outpatient therapy · milestones · compliance · setback · full recovery
hairline crack
Narrow, barely visible fissure
- bone densityMineral content per volume
- periosteumFibrous bone covering
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
osteopenia · osteoporosis · skeletal system · weight-bearing · compression · load · biomechanics · imaging · MRI · CT scan
athlete
Sports competitor
- knee injuryHarm to leg joint
- cartilage damageHarm to rubbery connective tissue
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
football · soccer · running · jumping · pivoting · overuse · repetitive stress · shin splints · metatarsal · tibia
- fracturesbroken bone, broken arm, broken leg, broken hip, broken ankle
- rock featurescliff, cliff face, rock face, crag, overhang
- cartilage repairautograft, autografts, allograft, allografts, scaffolds
- Orthopedic Surgeryhip surgery, ACL surgery, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, ACL repair
- cartilagecartilage, fibrocartilage, meniscus, gristle, arytenoid cartilage
microfracturecompound fracture
Bone snaps through skin
macrofracture · shattered bone · open fracture · spiral fracture