Microfracture awl

A method for performing microfracture, said method comprising:

• providing an articulating awl subcombination including (i) an articulating portion having a proximal end and a distal awl tip, (ii) a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a distal end of the shaft connected to the proximal end of the articulating portion, and (iii) a base connected to a proximal end of the shaft;
• providing a guide subcombination for receiving the microfracture awl, the guide subcombination including (i) a guide sleeve having a proximal end, a curved distal end, and (ii) a handle, the proximal end of the guide sleeve connected to a distal end of the handle;
• placing the distal end of the guide sleeve on a targeted subchondral bone plate;
• striking the proximal end of the base to transfer a force through the articulating awl subcombination;
• displacing the articulating portion through the guide sleeve so that the awl tip of the articulating portion changes direction along the curved distal end of the guide sleeve, and the awl tip protrudes beyond the distal end of the guide sleeve;
• contacting and penetrating the subchondral bone plate a desired depth with the awl tip.

A microfracture awl comprising;

• an articulating awl subcombination including an articulating portion having proximal and distal ends, and a base connected to a proximal end of the articulating portion;
• a guide subcombination for receiving the articulating awl subcombination including (i) a guide sleeve having proximal and distal ends, and (ii) a handle, the proximal end of the guide sleeve connected to a distal end of the handle;
• said articulating portion including a plurality of articulating members placed in series;
• and
• wherein said articulating portion is inserted through said guide sleeve and said base is received within an opening of said handle.

A microfracture awl subcombination comprising:

• an articulating portion having proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of articulating members placed in series, each of said articulating members being rotatable with respect to an adjacent articulating member;
• a base connected to a proximal end of the articulating portion;
• and
• an awl tip connected to the distal end of the articulating portion.