All patients are required to complete a course of non-operative therapy before surgical treatment can be offered as part of the randomized controlled drilling trial. The standardized therapy agreed upon by the group requires:

1. Three continuous months of avoidance of athletic activity/participation AND

2. Minimum of six weeks of:

• Cylinder casting, OR
• Locked extension hinged-knee bracing OR
• Non-weight bearing with crutches OR
• Minimum of six weeks of valgus unloader bracing OR
• Some combination of the above 3 options