MICROFRACTURE APPARATUSES AND METHODS

1 - 77 . (canceled)

78 . A method of forming a microfracture in subchondral bone of a patient, the method comprising:

disposing the microfracture apparatus comprising a cannula and a penetrator, the penetrator configured to pass at least partially through a longitudinal passageway of the cannula to a location adjacent to the subchondral bone; and

advancing the penetrator relative to the cannula, substantially without rotation of the penetrator, until a distal end of the penetrator extends into the subchondral bone to form a microfracture having a depth greater than 5 mm.

79 . The method of claim 78 , further comprising:

repeating the steps of disposing and advancing to form a plurality of microfractures in the subchondral bone.

80 . The method of claim 79 , where the microfracture apparatus further comprises a penetrator removal tab coupled to the penetrator and configured to retract the penetrator relative to the cannula, the method further comprising:

actuating the penetrator removal tab to retract the distal end of the penetrator from the subchondral bone.

81 . The method of claim 80 , where:

the cannula includes a handle,

the penetrator includes a flange,

the penetrator removal tab includes an opening that has at least one transverse dimension that is smaller than a transverse dimension of the flange; and

wherein the method further comprises disposing the penetrator removal tab between the handle and the flange thereby extending the penetrator through the opening.

82 . The method of claim 81 , where the penetrator removal tab includes a protrusion configured to extend toward a second end of the cannula and contact the handle to act as a fulcrum for pivoting the penetrator removal tab, and actuating the penetrator removal tab includes pivoting the penetrator removal tab around a point of contact between the protrusion and the handle.

83 . The method of claim 78 , where the cannula comprises a handle having an indicator indicative of the position of the distal portion of the cannula.

84 . (canceled)

85 . The method of claim 78 , where the penetrator is advanced manually.

86 . The method of claim 78 , where the position of the second end of the cannula relative to the bone is substantially constant while advancing the penetrator.

87 . The method of claim 78 , where the penetrator has an enlarged head, and the penetration distance is limited by the enlarged head contacting the cannula.

88 . The method of claim 87 , where the cannula includes a recessed portion and a shelf, the recessed portion extending from a first end of the cannula toward a second end of the cannula, the shelf disposed between the recessed portion and the second end of the cannula such that the penetration depth is limited by the enlarged head contacting the shelf.

89 . The method of claim 88 , where the recessed portion has a length that is at least as long as the penetration depth.

90 . (canceled)

91 . (canceled)

92 . The method of claim 78 , where the distal end of the penetrator is pointed.

93 - 95 . (canceled)

96 . The method of claim 78 , where the penetrator includes a primary portion and a penetration portion disposed between the primary portion and the distal end, the first transverse dimension is in the penetration portion, and a second transverse dimension is between the first transverse dimension and the primary portion.

97 . The method of claim 96 , where the second transverse dimension is smaller than the first transverse dimension.

98 . The method of claim 97 , where the penetration portion has a length, and the second transverse dimension is substantially constant along part of the length of the penetration portion.

99 - 101 . (canceled)

102 . The method of claim 78 , where the distal end includes a pointed tip with a cross-sectional shape defined by a tip angle of 60 degrees or greater.

103 . (canceled)

104 . The method of claim 102 , where the tip angle is greater than 90 degrees.

105 . The method of claim 104 , where the tip angle is greater than 120 degrees.

106 . A method of treating a microfracture in subchondral bone of a patient, the method comprising:

disposing an apparatus comprising a cannula and a penetrator, the penetrator configured to pass at least partially through a channel of the cannula with a distal end of the cannula adjacent an articular surface of a patient;

moving the penetrator from a retracted position to an extended position to form a microfracture in an articular surface of the subchondral bone;

removing the penetrator from the cannula; and

injecting a solution to the microfracture through the channel of the cannula.

107 . The method of claim 106 , where the solution is injected into the channel through an adapter.

108 - 111 . (canceled)