Microfracture surgery due to a lack of studies on the long-term effects and the fact that an unsuccessful surgery could end an athlete's career. Dr. Steadman has also adapted the surgery into a treatment to help reattach torn ligaments (a technique he calls the "healing response") The surgery is performed by arthroscopy, after the joint is cleaned of calcified cartilage. Through use of an awl, the surgeon creates tiny fractures in the subchondral bone plate. Blood and bone marrow (which contains stem cells) seep out of the fractures, creating a blood clot that releases cartilage-building cells. The microfractures are treated as an
Arthroscopy Association of North America committee structure, the continuous development and refinement of psychomotor skills courses, and ownership, production and distribution of a peer reviewed journal. AANA conducts an annual fall course and an annual spring meeting. AANA has created a research fund from which annual grants are awarded. AANA produces a quarterly newsletter and has developed a Web site to facilitate communications with the membership and the global community. The official journals of AANA are "Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery" and Arthroscopy Techniques. AANA also jointly participates biannually in the Robert W. Metcalf, MD Memorial Meeting which provides 26 hours of