Concomitant ankle instability has a negative impact on the quality of life in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus: data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)

Postoperative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle: A Survey Among German-Speaking Foot and Ankle Surgeons

OBJECTIVE

To assess the current treatment of osteochondral lesions of the ankle (OCLA) by German-speaking foot and ankle surgeons, focusing on the management of postoperative care and rehabilitation.

DESIGN

A questionnaire was created by a panel of 4 experienced foot and ankle surgeons on behalf of the "Clinical Tissue Regeneration" (CTR) working group of the German Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU), and distributed electronically to members of the CTR, participants of the German Cartilage Registry (Knorpelregister DGOU©), and members of 6 German-speaking orthopedics or sports medicine societies. Results were classified depending on the consensus within the answers (agreement ≥75% "strong tendency," 50%-74% "tendency," 25%-49% "weak tendency," <25% "no tendency").

RESULTS

A total of 60 participants returned the questionnaire. The main results are as follows: regarding the frequency of surgical procedures for OCLA, refixation of the fragment, retrograde drilling, and bone marrow stimulation with or without using a matrix were performed by at least 75% of the surgeons and was considered a strong tendency. There was a strong tendency to stabilize the ankle (76.7%) and perform corrective osteotomies (51.7%). In total, 75.5% and 75% of the surgeons performed bone marrow stimulation with and without using a matrix, respectively. Corrective osteotomy and ankle stabilization were performed in 64.5% and 65.2% cases, respectively. Most participants included published recommendations on postoperative rehabilitation and the return to sports activities in their postoperative management. The main surgical procedures were considered the most critical factor in influencing the postoperative management by 81% of the participants (strong tendency). Adjunct surgical procedures such as corrective osteotomy and stabilization of the ankle were considered important by 67.8% of the respondents (tendency).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of OCLA varies among German-speaking foot and ankle surgeons. Therefore, guidelines remain essential to standardize the management of OCLA, to achieve improved and stable results. This survey will assist clinicians and patients with rehabilitation to return to sports after treating the ankle's cartilage injury.

Regeneration: AT-AMIC Technique: Limits and Indication

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) is a commune cause of chronic ankle pain. Symptomatic lesions require surgical treatment. Currently, lesions with diameter less than 107.4 mm2 are treated with bone marrow stimulating technique with notable success rate. However, more extensive lesions show less predictable surgical results. Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis has proven to provide satisfactory medium and long-term results on OLTs. In the current review, we describe an all-arthroscopic technique and the Milan-Tel Aviv lesion assessment protocol.

Open lift-drill-fill-fix for medial osteochondral lesions of the talus: surgical technique

OBJECTIVE

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) with a fragment on the talar dome that fail conservative treatment and need surgical treatment can benefit from in situ fixation of the OLT. Advantages of fixation include the preservation of native cartilage, a high quality subchondral bone repair, and the restoration of the joint congruency by immediate fragment stabilization. To improve the chance of successful stabilization, adequate lesion exposure is critical, especially in difficult to reach lesions located on the posteromedial talar dome. In this study we describe the open Lift, Drill, Fill, Fix (LDFF) technique for medial osteochondral lesions of the talus with an osteochondral fragment. As such, the lesion can be seen as an intra-articular non-union that requires debridement, bone-grafting, stabilization, and compression. The LDFF procedure combines these needs with access through a medial distal tibial osteotomy.

INDICATIONS

Symptomatic osteochondral lesion of the talus with a fragment (≥ 10 mm diameter and ≥ 3 mm thick as per computed tomography [CT] scan) situated on the medial talar dome which failed 3-6 months conservative treatment.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Systemic disease, including active bacterial arthritis, hemophilic or other diffuse arthropathies, rheumatoid arthritis of the ankle joint, and malignancies. Neuropathic disease. End-stage ankle osteoarthritis or Kellgren and Lawrence score 3 or 4 [3]. Ipsilateral medial malleolus fracture less than 6 months prior. Relative contra-indication: posttraumatic stiffness with range of motion (ROM) < 5°. Children with open physis: do not perform an osteotomy as stabilization of the osteotomy may lead to early closure of the physis, potentially resulting in symptomatic varus angulation of the distal tibia. In these cases only arthrotomy can be considered.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The OLT is approached through a medial distal tibial osteotomy, for which the screws are predrilled and the osteotomy is made with an oscillating saw and finished with a chisel in order to avoid thermal damage. Hereafter, the joint is inspected and the osteochondral fragment is identified. The cartilage is partially incised at the borders and the fragment is then lifted as a hood of a motor vehicle (lift). The subchondral bone is debrided and thereafter drilled to allow thorough bone marrow stimulation (drill) and filled with autologous cancellous bone graft from either the iliac crest or the distal tibia (fill). The fragment is then fixated (fix) in anatomical position, preferably with two screws to allow additional rotational stability. Finally, the osteotomy is reduced and fixated with two screws.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

Casting includes 5 weeks of short leg cast non-weightbearing and 5 weeks of short leg cast with weightbearing as tolerated. At 10-week follow-up, a CT scan is made to confirm fragment and osteotomy healing, and patients start personalized rehabilitation under the guidance of a physical therapist.

Microfracture surgery combined with platelet-rich plasma injection in treating osteochondral lesions of talus: A system review and update meta analysis

BACKGROUND

To systematically evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in treating osteochondral lesions of talus (OLT).

METHOD

A computer-based search of the PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library was developed. The search time was dated in December 2022. Randomized controlled trials and prospective case control studies comparing the treatment of OLT with microfracture surgery combined with PRP injection and microfracture surgery alone were included. The quality of the literatures were evaluated. Meta analysis was completed using the data of postoperative pain and function scores of the ankle joint reported in the literature.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials with a total of 198 patients were included. Compared with microfracture surgery alone, meta-analysis showed that the postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score for ankle pain was significantly lower (P < 0.001), and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS) was significantly better ( P < 0.001) in the group of microfracture surgery combined with PRP injection. The change of VAS and AOFAS was also significantly better in the group of microfracture surgery combined with PRP injection (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with PRP injection in treating OLT can significantly reduce pain and improve ankle function. More long-term follow-up, high-quality studies are needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Etiology, Classification, Diagnostics, and Conservative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. 2023 Recommendations of the Working Group "Clinical Tissue Regeneration" of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology

METHODS

Peer-reviewed literature was analyzed regarding different topics relevant to osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) treatment. This process concluded with a statement for each topic reflecting the best scientific evidence available for a particular diagnostic or therapeutic concept, including the grade of recommendation. Besides the scientific evidence, all group members rated the statements to identify possible gaps between literature and current clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

In patients with minimal symptoms, OLT progression to ankle osteoarthritis is unlikely. Risk factors for progression are the depth of the lesion on MRI, subchondral cyst formation, and the extent of bone marrow edema. Conservative management is the adaptation of activities to the performance of the ankle joint. A follow-up imaging after 12 months helps not to miss any progression. It is impossible to estimate the probability of success of conservative management from initial symptoms and imaging. Cast immobilization is an option in OLTs in children, with a success rate of approximately 50%, although complete healing, estimated from imaging, is rare. In adults, improvement by conservative management ranges between 45% and 59%. Rest and restrictions for sports activities seem to be more successful than immobilization. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma can improve pain and functional scores for more than 6 months. If 3 months of conservative management does not improve symptoms, surgery can be recommended.

[The first decade of the DGOU's cartilage register-insights for clinical practice]

BACKGROUND

Registry data provide valuable epidemiological insights that help to further improve process and outcome quality in patient care. The German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) was established in 2013 as an instrument for quality assurance after surgical cartilage regenerative procedures on hip, knee and ankle joints.

DATA COLLECTION

Participation in the German Cartilage Registry is optional for hospitals and practices. Currently, more than 160 institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland participate in the data collection.

DATA COLLECTED AND INITIAL FINDINGS

The implementation of PROMs ("patient related outcome measurement"), as well as the recording of surgery-related influencing factors, enable a differentiated scientific analysis and represent a key quality feature of the registry. Initial analyses of the registry data have already provided clinically relevant findings for immediate patient care. For example, patients who underwent focal cartilage therapy prior to ACT show a clinically relevant, significantly worse outcome than patients who underwent primary ACT. First conclusions could also be drawn regarding the relevance of concomitant cartilage therapy. For example, in patients with focal cartilage damage of the medial knee joint compartment, registry data indicate that leg axis correction is indicated even in cases of mild deviation of the mechanical leg axis.

CONCLUSION

The data and findings obtained from the Cartilage Registry represent an important aspect of clinical care research and serve as a complement to well-designed, clinically prospective cohort studies, RCTs, and meta-analyses.

Talar OsteoPeriostic grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC) for lateral osteochondral lesions of the talus: operative technique

OBJECTIVE

To provide a natural scaffold, good quality cells, and growth factors to facilitate replacement of the complete osteochondral unit with matching talar curvature for large osteochondral lesions of the lateral talar dome.

INDICATIONS

Symptomatic primary and non-primary lateral osteochondral lesions of the talus not responding to conservative treatment. The anterior-posterior or medial-lateral diameter should exceed 10 mm on computed tomography (CT) for primary lesions; for secondary lesions, there are no size limitations.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Tibiotalar osteoarthritis grade III, malignancy, active infectious ankle joint pathology, and hemophilic or other diffuse arthropathy.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Anterolateral arthrotomy is performed after which the Anterior TaloFibular Ligament (ATFL) is disinserted from the fibula. Additional exposure is achieved by placing a Hintermann distractor subluxating the talus ventrally. Thereafter, the osteochondral lesion is excised in toto from the talar dome. The recipient site is micro-drilled in order to disrupt subchondral bone vessels. Thereafter, the autograft is harvested from the ipsilateral iliac crest with an oscillating saw, after which the graft is adjusted to an exactly fitting shape to match the extracted lateral osteochondral defect and the talar morphology as well as curvature. The graft is implanted with a press-fit technique after which the ATFL is re-inserted followed by potential augmentation with an InternalBrace™ (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA).

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

Non-weightbearing cast for 6 weeks, followed by another 6 weeks with a walking boot. After 12 weeks, a computed tomography (CT) scan is performed to assess consolidation of the inserted autograft. The patient is referred to a physiotherapist.

Surgical management of concurrent lateral ankle instability and osteochondral lesions of the talus increases dynamic sagittal ankle range of motion

PURPOSE

A biomechanical study, in which imaging modalities are used to strictly include patients with concurrent lateral ankle instability (LAI) and osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT), is needed to demonstrate the static and dynamic ankle range of motion (ROM) restriction in these patients, and determine whether ankle ROM restriction can be corrected postoperatively.

METHODS

Eight patients with concurrent LAI and OLT treated with the arthroscopic modified Broström procedure and microfracture were recruited from June 2019 to January 2020. Patients were assessed using outcome scales, static ankle ROM, and a stair descent gait analysis for dynamic ankle ROM, a day prior to surgery and one year postoperatively. Eight healthy subjects were assessed using the same modalities upon recruitment. Operative outcomes and variables during stair descent were documented and compared among the preoperative, postoperative, and healthy groups. A curve analysis, one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping, was performed to compare the dynamic ankle kinematics and muscle activation curves over the entire normalised time series.

RESULTS

The functional outcomes of patients with concurrent LAI and OLT were significantly worse than those of healthy subjects preoperatively, but were partially improved postoperatively. Patients had decreased static and dynamic ROM preoperatively, and static ROM did not significantly increase postoperatively (preoperative, 39.6 ± 11.3; postoperative, 44.9 ± 7.1; healthy, 52.0 ± 4.6; p = 0.021). Patients showed increased dynamic ankle flexion ROM (preoperative, 41.2 ± 11.6; postoperative, 53.6 ± 9.0; healthy, 53.9 ± 3.4; p = 0.012) postoperatively, as well as increased peroneus longus activation (preoperative, 35.8 ± 12.0; postoperative, 55.4 ± 25.1; healthy, 71.9 ± 13.4; p = 0.002) and muscle co-contraction of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus (preoperative, 69.4 ± 23.4; postoperative, 88.4 ± 9.3; healthy, 66.2 ± 18.1; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with concurrent LAI and OLT had decreased static and dynamic sagittal ankle ROM and altered neuromuscular activation patterns. The arthroscopic modified Broström procedure and microfracture did not significantly increase the static sagittal ankle ROM. However, the dynamic sagittal ankle ROM, peroneus longus activation and muscle co-contraction of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus increased postoperatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

AMIC Procedure for Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of Talus-A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Osteochondral lesions of talus are a common injury where surgery is indicated in case of failed non-operative treatment or displaced lesions. Many studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of the AMIC procedure. The goal of our study is to create an overview of the current literature. A systematic search adhering to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE on May 27, 2020. All included studies were evaluated according to the modified Coleman Methodology Score and information on study type, patient numbers, age, follow-up period, grade, location and size of the lesion, study in- and exclusion criteria, associated surgery, surgical technique, scaffold- and fixation technique, postoperative restrictions, reoperation rates, study outcome score, rehabilitation program, and surgical complications was extracted. Ninety-six studies were identified with 18 studies being included in our analysis. The overall quality of the literature was fair with no studies being graded as excellent. Data on preoperative evaluation and surgical technique, complication and reoperation rates, postoperative management and study outcome was extracted in order to create an overview of the current literature. The literature supports the use of the AMIC procedure as an effective treatment for osteochondral lesions of talus. Great heterogeneity exists and comparative studies are missing. While the number of studies on the topic is increasing further are needed and especially with optimized design.

One in Three Patients With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability Has a Cartilage Lesion

BACKGROUND

Chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) is associated with the presence or development of intra-articular pathologies such as chondral or osteochondral lesions, or (O)CLs. Currently, the incidence of (O)CLs in patients with CLAI is unknown.

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of (O)CLs in patients with CLAI.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in the PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane databases for articles published from January 2000 until December 2020. Two authors independently screened the search results and conducted the quality assessment using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria. Clinical studies were included that reported findings on the presence of ankle (O)CLs based on pre- or intraoperative diagnostic measures in patients with CLAI (>6 months of symptoms). Patient and lesion characteristics were pooled using a simplified method. Lesion characteristics included localization and chondral and osteochondral involvement. The primary outcome was the incidence of (O)CLs in ankles with CLAI. A random-effects model with 95% CIs was used to analyze the primary outcome. The distribution of (O)CLs in the ankle joint was reported according to talar or tibial involvement, with medial and lateral divisions for talar involvement.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included with 2145 patients and 2170 ankles with CLAI. The pooled incidence of (O)CLs in ankles with CLAI was 32.2% (95% CI, 22.7%-41.7%). Among all lesions, 43% were chondral and 57% were osteochondral. Among all (O)CLs, 85% were located on the talus and 17% on the distal tibia. Of the talar (O)CLs, 68% were located medially and 32% laterally.

CONCLUSION

(O)CLs were found in up to 32% of ankles with CLAI. The most common location was the talus (85%). Furthermore, most lesions were located on the medial talar dome (68%). These findings will aid physicians in the early recognition and treatment of ankle (O)CLs in the context of CLAI.

Preexisting and treated concomitant ankle instability does not compromise patient-reported outcomes of solitary osteochondral lesions of the talus treated with matrix-induced bone marrow stimulation in the first postoperative year: data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the subjective ankle function within the first year following matrix-induced bone marrow stimulation (M-BMS) of patients with a solitary osteochondral lesion of the talus (OCLT) with and without concomitant chronic ankle instability (CAI).

METHODS

Data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) for 78 patients with a solitary OCLT and a follow-up of at least 6 months were included. All patients received M-BMS for OCLT treatment. The cohort was subdivided into patients with OCLT without CAI treated with M-BMS alone (n = 40) and patients with OCLT and CAI treated with M-BMS and additional ankle stabilisation (n = 38). The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS) were used to assess patient-reported outcomes (median (minimum-maximum)).

RESULTS

From preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively, patients with OCLT without CAI treated with M-BMS alone had a significant improvement of all subscales in the FAAM [activity of daily living 64.3 (10-100) to 88.1 (39-100); sports 34.4 (0-100) to 65.6 (13-94), functional activities of daily life 50 (0-90) to 80 (30-100), functional sports 30 (0-100) to 70 (5-100)] and FAOS [pain 61.1 (8-94) to 86.1 (50-100), symptoms 60.7 (18-96) to 76.8 (29-100), activities of daily living 72.1 (24-100) to 91.9 (68-100), sport/recreational activities 30.0 (0-70) to 62.5 (0-95), quality of life 31.3 (6-50) to 46.9 (19-100)]. Within the first year, patients with OCLT and CAI treated with M-BMS and ankle stabilisation also showed significant improvement in the FAAM [activity of daily living 68.8 (5-99) to 90.5 (45-100); sports 32.8 (0-87.5) to 64.1 (0-94), functional activities of daily life 62.5 (25-100) to 80 (60-90), functional sports 30 (0-100) to 67.5 (0.95)] and the FAOS [pain 66.7 (28-92) to 87.5 (47-100), symptoms 57.1 (29-96) to 78.6 (50-100), activities of daily living 80.1 (25-100) to 98.5 (59-100), sport/recreational activities 35.0 (0-100) to 70.0 (0-100), quality of life 25.0 (0-75) to 50.0 (19-94)]. The pain level decreased significantly in both groups. No significant difference was found between both groups regarding the subscales of FAAM, FAOS and the NRS 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in subjective ankle function, daily life activities and sports activities were observed within the first year following M-BMS. Our results suggest that preexisting and treated ankle instability did not compromise subjective outcome in patients treated with M-BMS in the first postoperative year.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Limited medial osteochondral lesions of the talus associated with chronic ankle instability do not impact the results of endoscopic modified Broström ligament repair

Background

The arthroscopic modified Broström procedure, with repair of the anterior talofibular ligament and extensor retinaculum, produces good functional outcomes in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). CLAI can be associated with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). It remains unclear whether associated limited OLTs affect clinical outcomes in such patients.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 92 CLAI patients with and without OLTs undergoing an all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström procedure from June 2016 to May 2019. The patients were divided into non-lesion group (n = 32) and lesion group (n = 60) according to whether CLAI was associated or not with OLTs. All the osteochondral lesions less than 15 mm in diameter were managed with bone marrow stimulation techniques (arthroscopic microfracture) at the time of the arthroscopic modified Broström procedure. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Karlsson Ankle Function Score (KAFS), Anterior Talar Translation (ATT), Active Joint Position Sense (AJPS), and the rate of return to sports were compared in both groups.

Results

Increase in all the functional scores (VAS, AOFAS, KAFS, ATT, and AJPS) in both groups was, respectively, recorded 1 year and 2 years after surgery. At the 1-year and 2-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in the VAS, AOFAS, KAFS, ATT, and AJPS scores between the non-lesion and lesion groups.

Conclusion

In patients with CLAI who underwent an arthroscopic modified Broström procedure, the presence of limited OLTs (less than 15 mm in diameter), which required arthroscopic microfracture, did not exert any influence on outcome.

Level of Evidence

Level III, a retrospective comparative study.

One-year follow-up data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) in the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects of the talus

INTRODUCTION

Chondral and osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) remain a challenging issue with numerous operative treatments proposed to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate 1-year follow-up data in the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

METHODS

Among 401 patients in the database, 114 patients with a complete 1-year Foot and Ankle Outcome (FAOS) score for subscale Pain as the primary variable were included. A total of 12 different surgical treatments were performed. However, 8 techniques were carried out in negligible numbers of patients (n = 1-3), leaving 89 patients treated with the following techniques: arthroscopic antegrade bone marrow stimulation (group A; n = 32), autologous chondrocyte implantation with autologous cancellous bone grafting (group B; n = 9), matrix-augmented bone marrow stimulation (group C; n = 22), and matrix-augmented bone marrow stimulation with autologous cancellous bone grafting (group D; n = 26). Group differences and possible influencing variables such as age and sex were evaluated. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests.

RESULTS

All four treatment groups showed significant improvement of the FAOS scores at 1 year postoperatively compared with their preoperative scores. No significant differences were found with respect to score changes among the groups. A positive correlation between FAOS subscale Pain improvement and defect size volume and negative correlations between increasing age and FAOS subscales Sports/Rec and QoL were found. Concomitant ankle stabilization led to greater improvement in FAOS subscales Symptoms and ADL than in patients with no stabilization. FAOS subscale Pain showed greater improvement in women than in men.

CONCLUSION

All analyzed treatment options were effective for treatment of OLTs. In particular, large defects appeared to benefit from treatment. In the presence of concomitant ankle instability, a stabilizing procedure appeared to have a positive impact on the outcome.

Incidence of Talar Osteochondral Lesions After Acute Ankle Fracture: A Retrospective Analysis

Recent literature suggests the majority of osteochondral lesions occur in the ankle joint. Previous studies have suggested that varying incidences of talar osteochondral lesions (OCLT) are associated with ankle fractures. The primary aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of osteochondral lesions associated with acute ankle fractures as observed on computed tomographic (CT) imaging. We also compared the rates of talar osteochondral lesions in patients who had ankle fractures with dislocation and closed manual reduction (CMR) prior to open reduction with internal fixation, to those who did not suffer from ankle joint dislocation. Additionally, a correlation between the location of talar dome lesions with type of ankle fracture as classified by Lauge-Hansen was investigated. Preoperative CT imaging was retrospectively reviewed in 108 patients with acute ankle fractures. A CT-modified version of Berndt Hardy's classification of osteochondral lesions, as previously described by Loomer et al, was used for diagnosis of lesions in our study. The incidence of lesions was calculated across all subjects, and retrospective comparison was performed in those who did and did not undergo closed manual reduction. Supplementary data on location of lesion and its association with ankle fracture type was also recorded. We found an overall incidence of 50.9% OCLT in patients with acute ankle fractures. This number did not significantly differ from those who underwent closed manual reduction (49%). Although a majority of lesions did occur posteriorly, we saw no statistically significant information was seen between either type of fractures or OCLT locations. Careful consideration and thorough evaluation of preoperative CT imaging should be assessed by the performing surgeon, as this could guide both diagnostic and therapeutic treatments for patients with possible osteochondral lesions of the talus undergoing surgical repair of a fractured ankle.

Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis With Lateral Ligament Stabilization for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in Patients With Ankle Instability

Background:

Autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) has been shown to result in favorable clinical outcomes in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). Though, the influence of ankle instability on cartilage repair of the ankle has yet to be determined.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with and without concomitant lateral ligament stabilization (LLS) undergoing AMIC for the treatment of OLT. It was hypothesized that the outcomes would be comparable between these patient groups.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Twenty-six patients (13 with and 13 without concomitant ankle instability) who underwent AMIC with a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 1.5 years were enrolled in this study. Patients were matched 1:1 according to age, body mass index (BMI), lesion size, and follow-up. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and Tegner, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores were obtained at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. A musculoskeletal radiologist scored all grafts according to the MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) 1 and MOCART 2.0 scores.

Results:

The patients’ mean age was 33.4 ± 12.7 years, with a mean BMI of 26.2 ± 3.7. Patients with concomitant LLS showed worse clinical outcome measured by the AOFAS (85.1 ± 14.4 vs 96.3 ± 5.8; P = .034) and Tegner (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 4.4 ± 2.3; P = .012) scores. Postoperative CAIT and AOFAS scores were significantly correlated in patients with concomitant LLS (r = 0.766; P = .002). A CAIT score >24 (no functional ankle instability) resulted in AOFAS scores comparable with scores in patients with isolated AMIC (90.1 ± 11.6 vs 95.3 ± 6.6; P = .442). No difference was seen between groups regarding MOCART 1 and 2.0 scores (P = .714 and P = .371, respectively).

Conclusion:

Concurrently performed AMIC and LLS in patients with OLT and ankle instability resulted in clinical outcomes comparable with isolated AMIC if postoperative ankle stability was achieved. However, residual ankle instability was associated with worse postoperative outcomes, highlighting the need for adequate stabilization of ankle instability in patients with OLT.

[Osteochondral lesions of the talus : Individualized approach based on established and innovative reconstruction techniques]

Osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the talus are defined as chondral damage with subchondral involvement. The traumatic etiology is important; in particular, sprains and fractures can lead to lesions of the articular surface and the subchondral plate. As a result, unstable lesions and subchondral cysts can trigger substantial persistent pain and functional impairments. A primary conservative treatment can be considered and is especially recommended in children and adolescents; however, return to previous sports activity and level is often not achieved. The principles of reconstructive surgical management include internal fixation of osteochondral fragments, bone marrow stimulation, autologous membrane-augmented chondrogenesis ± bone grafting, osteochondral transfer, retrograde techniques ± bone grafting, (matrix-associated) autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous osteoperiosteal graft from the iliac crest. Additional surgical procedures for ankle stabilization and deformity correction should be considered if necessary.