Effective repair of a fresh osteochondral defect in the rabbit knee joint by articulated joint distraction following subchondral drilling

Conclusion: A combination of subchondral drilling, joint motion and distraction by an articulated external fixator promoted repair of a fresh osteochondral defect in the weight bearing area. Although distraction for 4 weeks was not a long enough period to repair the defect, distraction for 8 and 12 weeks resulted in a good outcome.