Recent Advances in Egypt for Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Lesions

Large variation in management of talar osteochondral lesions among foot and ankle surgeons: results from an international survey

PURPOSE

Surgeons management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) may be different to the published guidelines because not all treatment recommendations are feasible in every country. This study aimed to assess how OLT are managed worldwide by foot and ankle surgeons.

METHODS

A web-based survey was distributed to the members of 21 local and international scientific societies focused on foot and ankle or sports medicine surgery. Answers with a prevalence greater than 75% of respondents were considered a "main tendency", whereas where prevalence exceeded 50% of respondents they were considered a "tendency".

RESULTS

A total of 1804 surgeons from 79 different countries returned the survey. The responses to 19 of 28 questions (68%) regarding management and treatment of OLT achieved a main tendency (> 75%) or a tendency (> 50%). Symptoms reported to be most suspicious for OLT were pain on weight-bearing (WB) and after activity (83%), deep localization of the pain (62%), and any history of trauma (55%). 89% of surgeons routinely obtain an MRI, 72% routinely get WB radiographs, and 50% perform a CT scan. When treated surgically, OLTs are managed in isolation by only 7% of surgeons, and combined with ligament repair or reconstruction by 79%; 67% report simultaneous excision of soft-tissue or bony impingements (64%). For lesions less than 10-15 mm in diameter, bone marrow stimulation (BMS) represents the first choice of treatment for 78% of surgeons (main tendency). No other treatment was recorded as a tendency. For lesions greater than 15 mm in diameter no tendencies were recorded. The BMS represented the most preferred treatment being the first choice of treatment for 41% of surgeons. OLT depth had little influence on treatment choice: 71% of surgeons treating small lesions and 69% treating large lesions would choose the same treatment regardless of whether the lesion had a depth lesser or greater than 5 mm.

CONCLUSION

The management of OLT by foot and ankle surgeons from around the world remains extremely varied. The main clinical relevance of this study is that it provides updated information with regard to the management of OLT internationally, which could be used by surgeons worldwide in their decision-making and to inform the patient about available surgical options.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

All-Arthroscopic Treatment of Dependent Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle: Surgical Technique

A large number of articular cartilage defect treatments have been described. However, few have discussed the use of biologic agents implanted into the so-called dependent defect arthroscopically. Furthermore, even fewer of these reports have contained a description for treating dependent osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond. Generally, these lesions have been treated with either microfracture or debridement, and the long-term outcomes have been less than satisfactory. With new interest in biologic treatments for osteochondral defects, we believe that bone marrow aspirate concentrate combined with a biologic scaffold provides the necessary components to provide healing of these so-called dependent lesions. We believe that the combination of bone marrow aspirate concentrate and a biologic scaffold create the perfect viscosity to hold their mold in these dependent osteochondral lesions and provide the perfect scaffold to enhance recovery. We believe that our technique provides a minimally invasive option for the treatment of these osteochondral lesions and eliminates the need for a large arthrotomy.