Postoperative management

In patients with a small-sized cartilage defect restored by microfracture, the range of motion exercises and partial weight-bearing using crutches were allowed at 5 days postoperatively, and full weight bearing was permitted at 6 weeks after surgery. However, in patients with a medium-to-large-sized cartilage defect restored by either ACI or stem cell implantation, partial weight-bearing with crutches was allowed at 8 weeks postoperatively, and full weight-bearing was permitted at 12 weeks after surgery. The plate removal was usually recommended to patients after one and a half years postoperatively, and the cartilaginous regeneration could be confirmed on the weight-bearing area at that time.