PULSEShifter Microfracture Instrument

Key points

Alongside cartilage transplantation (mosaicplasty) and autologous chondrocyte implantation, microfracture is now a very common method of treating cartilage defects. A bone marrow stimulation technique, it is suitable for contained cartilage lesions extending down to the bone.

Because it is highly effective, this procedure is also used in hip arthroscopy.

However, the strong curvature of the hip joint often makes it difficult to direct the force applied to the tip of the microfracture awl perpendicular to the cartilage-bone surface. Yet this is necessary to keep the awl from slipping and damaging the surrounding cartilage, and to ensure sufficient penetration depth.

Brochure

Advantages at a glance

For microfracture surgery, we developed the PULSEShifter instrument with a patented technical solution to match the anatomy of the hip. It guides the impact impulse along a sheath that is angled (45°) at the distal end almost without loss and transfers it to the movable tip of the instrument.

Sheath and punch available as replacement parts

No electrical drive required

Reusable

Verified and validated reprocessing

Surgical procedure

The PULSEShifter is inserted into the hip joint through a half-pipe. To avoid injury, the movable tip of the awl is turned toward the half-shell. Inside the joint, the instrument is positioned with its tip on the cartilage defect perpendicular to the cartilage-bone interface, so that it can be hooked in place before microfracture.

The proximal end of the awl is then struck with a mallet, driving the tip into the cartilage defect to a penetration depth of up to 5 mm. The PULSEShifter is then hooked into place at a suitable distance for the next hole and struck again.

Technical data

Microfracture awl, working length 170 mm

PULSEShifter, curved 45°

Surgical Techniques