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I'm a football player with a bad cartilage tear in my right knee. The team doctor says I'll need surgery. They'll put some kind of tiny holes in the bone and then I'll need a motion machine after the operation. I'll be out at least six months. Isn't there some way to get me back on the field sooner?

As you describe it, your doctor is following the standard protocol for this type of injury. There is a new study from the University of California--Davis that might offer some hope.

They compared results in two groups after cartilage repair using microfracture. Microfracture is the method of drilling tiny holes into the bone at the site of the injury. The idea behind this treatment is that poking holes in the bone causes bleeding. Clots form in the cartilaginous defect. Then fibrocartilage forms to fill in the holes.

The original area of injury also gets filled in.

Continuous passive motion (CPM) is used after the operation. CPM keeps the knee moving after surgery. The leg is placed inside a trough-like machine that slowly bends and straightens the knee over and over. The theory is that CPM puts pressure on the bone and stimulates bone growth.

This new study showed that patients who got up and walked right away had the same results as those who stayed in bed and used CPM. This could mean getting back on your feet sooner than later will get you on the field sooner. Follow the advice of your doctor before resuming your sport activities.

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