There are a variety of options for the treatment of articular cartilage defects that aim to restore the integrity of the joint surface and yield full range of painfree motion.  Debridement and lavage and microfracture, two such techniques, have similar outcomes.  The objective of this multi-center, randomized, prospective study is to evaluate the outcomes of both techniques in the treatment of localized articular cartilage defects of the femoral condyles and trochlear groove.  Clinical and subjective assessment data will be obtained pre-operatively and post-operatively with 3 year follow-up.