Nanofracture

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

Nanofracture is a cartilage-repair procedure whereby a narrow 'pick' is used to make 9mm deep holes through the bone plate under the joint cartilage, with the purpose of encouraging blood and bone marrow cells to enter the area and help repair the defect.

Nanofracture 'picks' a hole that is deeper and narrower than microfracture.

Pick poking tiny holes through the cartilage layer of the femur

Comparison of nanofracture with microfracture

The pick is smaller than the microfracture pick.

A 'needling' technique may also be used, passing a needle into the bone via a cannulated nanofracture pick.

Back to top

A-Z Keywords -

Flowchart

Dr Sheila Strover - 2018 - Arthritis flowchart

eBooks

Dr Sheila Strover - Knee arthritis interventions when you are too young for a total knee replacement

Back to top