Autologous chondrocyte implantation of the ankle: 2- to 10-year results

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: What happens after 20 years?

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term clinical efficacy of first-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) technique for osteochondral lesions of the ankle joint.

METHODS

Eleven patients with symptomatic OLTs underwent ACI from December 1997 to October 2002. A total of 9 patients (5 men, 4 women, age 25.2 ± 6.3) were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 10 years, and at final follow-up of minimum 20 years with AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, NRS for pain, and with the Tegner score.

RESULTS

The AOFAS score improved significantly from the baseline value of 40.4 ± 19.8 to 82.7 ± 12.9 at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). The NRS for pain improved significantly from 7.8 ± 0.7 at baseline to 4.8 ± 2.1 at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). Moreover, the Tegner score underwent a modification from the pre-operative median value of 1 (range: 1-3) and from a pre-injury value of 5 (range: 3-7) to 3 (range: 2-4) at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

ACI has proven to be an effective treatment option for patients suffering from OLTs, leading to a long-lasting clinical improvement even beyond 20 years of follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Criteria for Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Poorly Reflect Current Research

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to both quantify and qualify the way insurance companies justify their coverage policies for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and determine whether these policies align with recent research on the subject.

DESIGN

The top 11 national commercial health insurance payers for ACI were identified. Coverage policy documents were recovered for 8 payers. These documents were examined, and the type of reference and the level of evidence (LOE) were recorded for each applicable reference. Specific coverage criteria for each individual payer were then extracted and assessed for similarities among commercial payers. Finally, all references cited by each payer were examined to determine whether they mentioned the specific payer criteria.

RESULTS

This study found that the majority of cited references were primary journal articles (86, 58.1%) and that only 30 (20.2%) references were level I or level II evidence. This study also found significant homogeneity among payer coverage criteria. Cited sources inconsistently mentioned specific payer coverage criteria. In addition, payer criteria tended to be poorly supported by current evidence on ACI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that commercial insurance payers' coverage policies for ACI poorly cite references, cite a majority of references with low LOE, and cite references which infrequently mention their specific coverage criteria. In addition, payer coverage policies have a high degree of homogeneity and many of their specific criteria are poorly supported by current research on ACI.

Outcomes Following Repeat Ankle Arthroscopy and Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

The management of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) previously treated with arthroscopy is controversial. Minimal data exist on the role for repeat arthroscopy. Here, we describe our experience with repeat arthroscopy and microfracture for symptomatic OLTs.

METHODS

Our database was queried over an 8-year period to identify patients undergoing repeat arthroscopy and microfracture as treatment for symptomatic OLTs. Phone surveys were conducted to assess residual pain, patient satisfaction, and need for subsequent surgery. We compared patient outcomes based on the size of their OLT (small lesions ≤150 mm2, large >150 mm2) and the presence or absence of subchondral cysts.

RESULTS

We identified 14 patients who underwent repeat arthroscopy and microfracture for symptomatic OLTs. Patients reported reasonable satisfaction (7.6 ± 3.5 out of 10) but moderate residual pain (4.7 ± 3.4 out of 10) at midterm follow-up (5.1 ± 2.9 years). In total, 21% (3/14) of patients had undergone subsequent surgery. Patients with small (n = 5) and large OLTs (n = 9) had similar postoperative pain scores (4.2 ± 4.1 vs 4.9 ± 3.2) and postoperative satisfaction levels (6.4 ± 4.9 vs 8.3 ± 2.5).

CONCLUSION

At midterm follow-up, repeat arthroscopy for symptomatic OLTs demonstrated reasonable satisfaction but moderate residual pain. Lesion size or presence of subchondral cysts did not affect outcome, but our sample size was likely too small to detect statistically significant differences. These data show that repeat ankle arthroscopy can be performed safely with modest outcomes, and we hope that this report aids in managing patient expectations.Level of Evidence: Level IV Case Series.

Second-Look Arthroscopy Shows Inferior Cartilage after Bone Marrow Stimulation Compared with Other Operative Techniques for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare cartilage quality after different surgical interventions for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT), evaluated by second-look arthroscopy. Secondary aims were to report concomitant diagnoses, and to correlate cartilage quality with clinical and radiological outcomes. This review hypothesizes that the cartilage repair after bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is inferior to the other available treatment options.

METHODS

PROSPERO ID: CRD42022311489. Studies were retrieved through PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they reported cartilage quality after second-look investigation after surgical treatment of OLT. The primary outcome measure was the cartilage quality success and failure rates (%) per surgical intervention group. Correlations between the cartilage quality and clinical or radiological outcomes were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were included, comprising 586 ankles that had undergone second-look arthroscopy on average 16 months after initial surgery. The success rate for BMS was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 48%-65%), for fixation (FIX) 86% (95% CI = 70%-94%), for osteo(chondral) transplantation (OCT) 91% (95% CI = 80%-96%), for cartilage implementation techniques (CITs) 80% (95% CI = 69%-88%), and for retrograde drilling 100% (95% CI = 66%-100%). The success rate of BMS was significantly lower than FIX, OCT, and CIT (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between other treatment groups. A moderate positive significant correlation between the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score and the International Cartilage Repair Society score (ICRS) was found (ρ = 0.51, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful restoration of cartilage quality was found in the majority of surgically treated OLTs. However, BMS yields inferior cartilage quality compared with FIX, OCT, and CIT. Study Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level of evidence. Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clinical Applicability of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for the Treatment of Osteochondral Defects: A Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Osteoarthritis and other joint disorders are the leading cause of disability in the elderly and the treatment of joint lesions is challenging. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been reported with variable effects for the treatment of osteochondral and other joint lesions. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of the recent literature to determine the clinical applicability of ACI for osteochondral defects.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed on the recent literature showing the effects of ACI on osteochondral defects. The PUBMED, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were used to identify eligible studies from Jan 2010 to Sep 2022. Both fixed and random models of meta-analysis were applied with all reported scoring systems to quantify the effectiveness of ACI on osteochondral defects.

RESULTS

The pool data of 965 patients as a case series after ACI from a fixed model showed a significant improvement in the osteochondral defects (odds ratio = 8.75, 95%CI = 7.127 to 10.743, p = 0.000). These results were further verified by a random model of meta-analysis. The data also showed a substantial heterogeneity among the studies used in the meta-analysis (Q-value = 160.41, I-squared = 87.53, p = 0.000). Furthermore, this meta-analysis also compared different ACI procedures with different scoring systems but the overall outcome remains the same as ACI was found to be useful for the healing of the osteochondral defects.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis of 965 case series revealed that the ACI markedly improved the damage osteochondral defects scores but the optimal treatment is still controversial, therefore further studies are needed to validate these findings in a clinical setting.

Hyaluronic scaffold transplantation with bone marrow concentrate for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: durable results up to a minimum of 10 years

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical results of the transplantation of a hyaluronic acid membrane augmented with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in an one-step technique for the treatment of patients affected by osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

METHODS

A total of 101 patients (64 men, 37 women, age 32.9 ± 10.9) were evaluated for a minimum of 10 years of follow-up (151.5 ± 18.4 months) The mean lesion size was 2.2 ± 1.4 cm2, the lesion had a post-traumatic origin in 73 patients, 15 patients previously had an ankle fracture, 22 patients had ankle osteoarthritis. All patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and at 2, 5, and a minimum of 10 years after treatment using the AOFAS score, the NRS for pain, and the Tegner score. A survival analysis was performed to check the survival to failure up to the last follow-up.

RESULTS

The AOFAS score significantly improved from baseline (59.6 ± 13.9) to the final follow-up (82.3 ± 14.2) (p < 0.0005). A significant reduction in the AOFAS score was found from 2 to 10 years (p < 0.0005). The NRS for pain changed from 7.0 ± 1.3 at baseline to 3.9 ± 2.7 at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). A significant worsening was documented between 5 years and the final follow-up (p < 0.0005). The Tegner score improved from the preoperative value of 2.0 (range 1-7) to 3.0 (range 1-7) at the final follow-up (p < 0.0005), although it remained lower as compared to the preinjury level of 4.0 (range 1-9) (p < 0.0005). Better results were documented in male and younger patients with smaller lesions, without the previous surgery, and without the previous ankle fractures or osteoarthritis. At the final follow-up, 85 patients considered their general health status "satisfactory" and 84 patients reported feeling "better" than the preoperative condition. Five patients were considered failures and underwent prosthetic ankle replacement or repeated the same surgery.

CONCLUSION

This one-step technique showed to be an effective procedure for the treatment of OLT, providing a low failure rate and offering durable clinical improvements up to a minimum of 10 years of follow-up. However, this technique demonstrated a small yet significant decrease over the years in terms of pain and function and poor results in terms of sports activity level.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Republication of "Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment"

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are a difficult pathologic entity to treat. They require a strong plan. Lesion size, location, chronicity, and characteristics such as displacement and the presence of subchondral cysts help dictate the appropriate treatment required to achieve a satisfactory result. In general, operative treatment is reserved for patients with displaced OLTs or for patients who have failed nonoperative treatment for 3 to 6 months. Operative treatments can be broken down into cartilage repair, replacement, and regenerative strategies. There are many promising treatment options, and research is needed to elucidate which are superior to minimize the morbidity from OLTs.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle and Foot

Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) in the ankle are more common than OCLs of the foot, but both share a similar imaging appearance. Knowledge of the various imaging modalities, as well as available surgical techniques, is important for radiologists. We discuss radiographs, ultrasonography, computed tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate OCLs. In addition, various surgical techniques used to treat OCLs-debridement, retrograde drilling, microfracture, micronized cartilage-augmented microfracture, autografts, and allografts-are described with an emphasis on postoperative appearance following these techniques.

The Frequency and Severity of Complications in Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 6,962 Lesions

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim was to determine and compare the complication rate of different surgical treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). The secondary aim was to analyze and compare the severity and types of complications.

DESIGN

A literature search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (Ovid), and the Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Primary outcome was the complication rate per surgical treatment option. Secondary outcomes included the severity (using the Modified Clavien-Dindo-Sink Complication Classification System for Orthopedic Surgery) and types of complications. The primary outcome, the severity, and the sub-analyses were analyzed using a random effects model. A moderator test for subgroup-analysis was used to determine differences. The types of complications were presented as rates.

RESULTS

In all, 178 articles from the literature search were included for analysis, comprising 6,962 OLTs with a pooled mean age of 35.5 years and follow-up of 46.3 months. Methodological quality was fair. The overall complication rate was 5% (4%-6%; treatment group effect, P = 0.0015). Analysis resulted in rates from 3% (2%-4%) for matrix-assisted bone marrow stimulation to 15% (5%-35%) for metal implants. Nerve injury was the most observed complication.

CONCLUSIONS

In 1 out of 20 patients treated surgically for an OLT, a complication occurs. Metal implants have a significantly higher complication rate compared with other treatment modalities. No life-threatening complications were reported.

Advances in Cartilage Repair

Osteochondral lesions of the ankle joint are typically associated with a traumatic etiology and present with ankle pain and swelling. Conservative management yields unsatisfactory results because of the poor healing capacity of the articular cartilage. Smaller lesions (<100 mm² or <10 mm) can be treated with less invasive procedures such as arthroscopic debridement, anterograde drilling, scaffold-based therapies, and augmentation with biological adjuvants. For patients with large lesions (>100 mm² or >10 mm), cystic lesions, uncontained lesions, or patients who have failed prior bone marrow stimulation, management with autologous osteochondral transplantation is indicated.

Short-term Results of Hemiarthroplasty of the Ankle Joint for Talar-Sided Cartilage Loss

Background

Ankle hemiarthroplasty is a 1-piece implant system replacing the talar side of the tibiotalar joint. Hemiarthroplasty offers limited bone resection and may provide easier revision options than joint-ablating procedures.

Methods

Prospective, multicenter, noncomparative, nonrandomized clinical study with short term follow-up on patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty of the ankle. Radiologic and functional outcomes (Foot and Ankle Outcome Score FAOS, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM], Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36], Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment [SMFA], and visual analog scale [VAS] pain scores) were obtained at 3 and 12 months and the last follow-up (mean 31.9 months).

Results

Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. Three were converted to total ankle replacement at 14, 16, and 18 months. Pain VAS scores improved on average from 6.8 to 4.8 (P = .044) of the remaining 7 at a mean of 31.9 months' follow-up. For these 7 in the Survival Group, we found that SF-36 physical health component improved from 25.03 to 42.25 (P = .030), SMFA dysfunction and bother indexes improved from 46.36 to 32.28 (P = .001), and from 55.21 to 30.14 (P = .002) in the Survival Group, and FAAM sports improved from 12.5 to 34.5 (P = .023).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty of the ankle joint for talar-sided lesions had a 30% failure rate by 18 months. Those who did not have an early failure exhibited modest pain reduction, functional improvements, and better quality of life in short-term follow-up. This procedure offers a possible alternative for isolated talar ankle cartilage cases.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, prospective case series.

Efficacy and safety of autologous chondrocyte implantation for osteochondral defects of the talus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Studies have reported various effects of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) on osteochondral defects of the talus. Therefore, to assess the effectiveness of ACI for osteochondral defects of the talus, we used the meta-analytic approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify eligible studies from their inception until November 2020. The random-effects model was used to calculate the incidence of success rate and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score for patients after ACI treatment. Subgroup analyses were also conducted based on age, technique, indication, size, and follow-up duration.

RESULTS

For the final meta-analysis, we selected 23 case series studies with a total of 458 patients with osteochondral defects of the talus. Overall, after ACI for patients with osteochondral defects of the talus, we noted that the incidence of success rate was 89% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 85%-92%; P < 0.001). Moreover, after ACI for patients with osteochondral defects of the talus, the AOFAS score was 86.33 (95% CI 83.33-89.33; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the AOFAS score after ACI is significantly different when stratified by the mean age of the patients (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the use of ACI could provide a relatively high success rate and improve the AOFAS score for patients with osteochondral defects of the talus, which should be recommended in clinical practice.

Favorable long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes with high survivorship after autologous osteochondral transplantation of the talus

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients undergoing autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) and to perform a correlation analysis between clinical and radiologic outcomes.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 32.2 ± 8.9 years undergoing AOT for OLT between 1997 and 2003 were available for follow-up after an average of 19.1 ± 1.4 years. Demographic, surgical, and injury-related data were collected. After a minimum 18-year follow-up, patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) were collected, including the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Tegner Activity Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain of the ankle. The Lysholm Score and VAS for pain of the knee were collected to assess donor-site morbidity. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained to conduct an assessment of the replaced cartilage using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) 2.0 scoring system. Any revision surgery (except symptomatic hardware removal and arthroscopic debridement) was defined as clinical failure.

RESULTS

Favorable clinical and radiologic (MOCART score, 73.7 ± 16.7 points) outcomes without any donor-site morbidities were observed. Twenty-three (65.7%) patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgical treatment. Fourteen (40.0%) and 25 (71.4%) patients had no or minor limitations in their athletic and working performance, respectively. A significant correlation between the MOCART and the FAOS Sport and Recreational activities subscale was found (r_s, 0.491; p = 0.033). Six (17.1%) patients met the criteria for clinical failure an average of 12.2 ± 6.6 years after AOT. Survival analysis demonstrated a mean estimated time of survival of 21.3 years (95% CI [19.55, 22.96]) and a 20-year survival rate of 77.9%.

CONCLUSION

Autologous osteochondral transplantation to treat OLT achieves high patient satisfaction and favorable PROs with a 20-year survival rate of almost 80%. Given the high clinical efficacy of AOT, this procedure can be recommended as a safe and promising technique for the long-term therapy of OLT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Prognostic factors for the management of chondral defects of the knee and ankle joint: a systematic review

Purpose

Different surgical techniques to manage cartilage defects are available, including microfracture (MFx), autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteoarticular auto- or allograft transplantation (OAT), autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC). This study investigated the patient-related prognostic factors on the clinical outcomes of surgically treated knee and ankle cartilage defects.

Methods

This study followed the PRISMA statement. In May 2022, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus. All the studies investigating the outcomes of surgical management for knee and/or talus chondral defects were accessed. Only studies performing mesenchymal stem cells transplantation, OAT, MFx, ACI, and AMIC were considered. A multiple linear model regression analysis through the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficient was used.

Results

Data from 184 articles (8905 procedures) were retrieved. Female sex showed a positive moderate association with visual analogue scale at last follow-up (P = 0.02). Patient age had a negative association with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (P = 0.04) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (P = 0.03). BMI was strongly associated with graft hypertrophy (P = 0.01). Greater values of VAS at baseline negatively correlate with lower values of Tegner Activity Scale at last follow-up (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The clinical outcomes were mostly related to the patients’ performance status prior surgery. A greater BMI was associated with greater rate of hypertrophy. Female sex and older age evidenced fair influence, while symptom duration prior to the surgical intervention and cartilage defect size evidenced no association with the surgical outcome. Lesion size and symptom duration did not evidence any association with the surgical outcome.

Outcome of retroarticular drilling for osteochondritis dissecans of the talus in a pediatric population

BACKGROUND

Outcomes of bone marrow stimulation for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the talus in pediatric patients is not optimal. The objective was to evaluate the retroarticular drilling technique for talar OCD.

METHODS

A retrospective case-series study of pediatric cases treated for talar OCD with retroarticular drilling was done. Clinical and radiological outcome scores were recorded as follows: the percentage of patients who had a successful treatment, the percentage for every category of the Berndt and Harty treatment result grading and the percentage for every radiographical outcome score were computed.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (18 girls; mean age: 14.6 ± 2.1 years) were included. The mean follow-up was 14.8 (±11.7) months. 26.3% required revision surgery. The Berndt and Harty scores were: 57.9% good, 10.5% fair, 31.6% poor. Radiological outcomes were: 21% healed, 47.4% partially healed, 31.6% no healing. The radiological outcome score was better for younger patients (P = 0.01) and those with an open physis (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

26.3% of patients needed revision surgery after talar OCD retroarticular drilling and 21% were healed radiographically. Skeletal immaturity and a younger age were associated to a better radiological outcome.

Evidence for operative treatment of talar osteochondral lesions: a systematic review

Purpose

Operative treatment of talar osteochondral lesions is challenging with various treatment options. The aims were (i) to compare patient populations between the different treatment options in terms of demographic data and lesion size and (ii) to correlate the outcome with demographic parameters and preoperative scores.

Methods

A systemic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic databases Pubmed (MEDLINE) and Embase were screened for reports with the following inclusion criteria: minimum 2-year follow-up after operative treatment of a talar osteochondral lesion in at least ten adult patients and published between 2000 and 2020.

Results

Forty-five papers were included. Small lesions were treated using BMS, while large lesions with ACI. There was no difference in age between the treatment groups. There was a correlation between preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and change in AOFAS score (R = −0.849, P < 0.001) as well as AOFAS score at follow-up (R = 0.421, P = 0.008). Preoperative size of the cartilage lesion correlates with preoperative AOFAS scores (R= −0.634, P = 0.001) and with change in AOFAS score (R = 0.656, P < 0.001) but not with AOFAS score at follow-up. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a comparison of the outcome between the different operative techniques was not possible.

Conclusion

Patient groups with bigger lesions and inferior preoperative scores did improve the most after surgery.

Level of evidence

IV.

Management of Treatment Failures in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are a common result of traumatic ankle injury. Due to the low success rates of nonoperative management, surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) has evolved considerably over the past decade as more outcomes research has emerged, new techniques have been described, and we have developed a better understanding of the role of biologics in the treatment algorithm. We describe, in sequence, the surgical management options, including salvage procedures, for failed treatment of OLTs.

Osteochondral lesion of the talus: still a problem?

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) often occurs after ankle trauma or repetitive micro-traumata, whereas the actual etiology remains unclear. The most common symptoms are local pain deep in the medial or lateral ankle that increases with weight-bearing and activity, accompanied by tenderness and swelling.

Eventually, most patients with symptomatic or unstable OLT require surgery. Many reasonable operative techniques have been described, whereas most lead to similar and satisfactory results. They can be divided into cartilage repair, cartilage regeneration and cartilage replacement techniques. The OLT size and morphology in the first place but also surgeon and individual patient aspects are considered when it comes to surgery.

For high postoperative success and low recurrence rates, underlying causes, for example, ligamentous instability and hindfoot malalignment should also be addressed during surgery.

Arthroscopic evaluation after osteochondral autogenous transfer with osteotomy of medial malleolus for osteochondral lesion of the talar dome

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the second-look arthroscopic evaluation after osteochondral autogenous transfer (OAT) for osteochondral lesion of the talar dome (OLT) with the criteria of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS).

METHODS

Ten patients (twelve ankles) with OLT underwent OAT with osteotomy of the medial malleolus. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale. The condition of the transplanted cartilage was evaluated at the time of second-look arthroscopy using the ICRS Cartilage Repair Assessment.

RESULTS

The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was significantly improved from 65.1 ± 1.9 points before surgery to 98.1 ± 2.8 points at the time of second-look arthroscopy (p < 0.01). The ICRS Cartilage Repair Assessment was 11.4 points on average (9-12 points).

CONCLUSIONS

The OAT for OLT is considered to be a useful treatment even if invasion by medial malleolus osteotomy is added.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Case series.

Demographics in Patients Receiving Matrix-Assisted Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) in the Ankle

Objective. To compare demographics and cartilage lesion characteristics of patients enrolled in clinical trials investigating autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in the ankle joint with those actually scheduled for matrix-assisted chondrocyte implantation (MACI) using database records. Design. Anonymized data from patients scheduled for MACI treatment in the ankle in Australia/Asia and Europe were obtained from the Genzyme/Sanofi database. Average age, defect size, and male-female ratio were analyzed and compared by country. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar and clinical cohort studies and prospective comparative trials using ACI and related treatments in the ankle joint were identified. Weighted average age, weighted defect size, and male-female ratio were analyzed and compared with database data. Results. The 167 patients included from the databases from Europe and Australia had a mean age of 33.4 years (range 14-64 years) and a mean defect size of 2.27 cm² (range 0.25-16 cm²). Male-female ratio was 4:3. Patients from European countries were significantly younger and had significantly larger defects compared with patients from Australia. From the literature search a total of 472 patients were included from 28 studies. The mean age was 32.2 years (range 15-62 years). Male-female ratio was 3:2. Weighted mean size was 1.94cm² (range 0.3-16). There were no significant differences between previous studies and databases. Conclusion. No differences in sizes and age were found between patients enrolled in clinical trials and patients scheduled for MACI outside clinical trials. The sizes of treated defects followed the general recommendations. There were, however, significant differences between countries.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Review on Talus Osteochondral Injuries, Including Osteochondritis Dissecans

This is a review on talus osteochondritis dissecans and talus osteochondral lesions. A majority of the osteochondral lesions are associated with trauma while the cause of pure osteochondritis dissecans is still much discussed with a possible cause being repetitive microtraumas associated with vascular disturbances causing subchondral bone necrosis and disability. Symptomatic nondisplaced osteochondral lesions can often be treated conservatively in children and adolescents while such treatment is less successful in adults. Surgical treatment is indicated when there is an unstable cartilage fragment. There are a large number of different operative technique options with no number one technique to be recommended. Most techniques have been presented in level II to IV studies with a low number of patients with short follow ups and few randomized comparisons exist. The actual situation in treating osteochondral lesions in the ankle is presented and discussed.

High-Density Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation as Treatment for Ankle Osteochondral Defects

PURPOSE

Two-year follow-up to assess efficacy and safety of high-density autologous chondrocyte implantation (HD-ACI) in patients with cartilage lesions in the ankle.

DESIGN

Twenty-four consecutive patients with International Cartilage repair Society (ICRS) grade 3-4 cartilage lesions of the ankle were included. Five million chondrocytes per cm² of lesion were implanted using a type I/III collagen membrane as a carrier and treatment effectiveness was assessed by evaluating pain with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score at baseline, 12-month, and 24-month follow-up, together with dorsal and plantar flexion. Magnetic resonance observation for cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used to evaluate cartilage healing. Histological study was possible in 5 cases.

RESULTS

Patients' median age was 31 years (range 18-55 years). Median VAS score was 8 (range 5-10) at baseline, 1.5 (range 0-8) at 12-month follow-up, and 2 (rang e0-5) at 24-month follow-up (P < 0.001). Median AOFAS score was 39.5 (range 29-48) at baseline, 90 (range 38-100) at 12-month follow-up, and 90 (range 40-100) at 24-month follow-up (P < 0.001). Complete dorsal flexion significantly increased at 12 months (16/24, 66.7%) and 24 months (17/24, 70.8%) with regard to baseline (13/24, 54.2%) (P = 0.002). MOCART at 12- and 24-month follow-ups were 73.71 ± 15.99 and 72.33 ± 16.21. Histological study confirmed that neosynthetized tissue was cartilage with hyaline extracellular matrix and numerous viable chondrocytes.

CONCLUSION

HD-ACI is a safe and effective technique to treat osteochondral lesions in the talus, providing good clinical and histological results at short- and mid-term follow-ups.

Osteochondritis Dissecans: Current Understanding of Epidemiology, Etiology, Management, and Outcomes

➤

Osteochondritis dissecans occurs most frequently in the active pediatric and young adult populations, commonly affecting the knee, elbow, or ankle, and may lead to premature osteoarthritis.

➤

While generally considered an idiopathic phenomenon, various etiopathogenetic theories are being investigated, including local ischemia, aberrant endochondral ossification of the secondary subarticular physis, repetitive microtrauma, and genetic predisposition.

➤

Diagnosis is based on the history, physical examination, radiography, and advanced imaging, with elbow ultrasonography and novel magnetic resonance imaging protocols potentially enabling early detection and in-depth staging.

➤

Treatment largely depends on skeletal maturity and lesion stability, defined by the presence or absence of articular cartilage fracture and subchondral bone separation, as determined by imaging and arthroscopy, and is typically nonoperative for stable lesions in skeletally immature patients and operative for those who have had failure of conservative management or have unstable lesions.

➤

Clinical practice guidelines have been limited by a paucity of high-level evidence, but a multicenter effort is ongoing to develop accurate and reliable classification systems and multimodal decision-making algorithms with prognostic value.

Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Are Clinical Outcomes Maintained 10 Years Later?

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is considered the first-line treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). However, the long-term stability of the clinical success of BMS remains unclear.

PURPOSE

To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes among patients who underwent BMS for OLT and to identify prognostic factors for the need for revision surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 202 ankles (189 patients) that were treated with BMS for OLT and had a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The visual analog scale for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were assessed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Prognostic factors associated with revision surgery were evaluated with Cox proportional hazard regression models and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

The mean lesion size was 105.32 mm² (range, 19.75-322.79); 42 ankles (20.8%) had large lesions (≥150 mm²). The mean visual analog scale for pain improved from 7.11 ± 1.73 (mean ± SD) preoperatively to 1.44 ± 1.52, 1.46 ± 1.57, and 1.99 ± 1.67 at 1, 3 to 6, and ≥10 years, respectively, after BMS (P < .001). The mean ankle-hindfoot score also improved, from 58.22 ± 13.57 preoperatively to 86.88 ± 10.61, 86.17 ± 10.23, and 82.76 ± 11.65 at 1, 3 to 6, and ≥10 years after BMS (P < .001). The FAOS at the final follow-up was 82.97 ± 13.95 for pain, 81.81 ± 14.64 for symptoms, 83.49 ± 11.04 for activities of daily living, 79.34 ± 11.61 for sports, and 78.71 ± 12.42 for quality of life. Twelve ankles underwent revision surgery after a mean 53.5 months. Significant prognostic factors associated with revision surgery were the size of the lesion (preoperative magnetic resonance imaging measurement ≥150 mm²; P = .014) and obesity (body mass index ≥25; P = .009).

CONCLUSION

BMS for OLT yields satisfactory clinical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 13.9 years. The success of the surgery may depend on the lesion size and body mass index of the patient.

HemiCAP® implantation after failed previous surgery for osteochondral lesions of the talus

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to enhance data about the effectiveness of HemiCAP® implantation after failed previous surgery for osteochondral defects (OCDs).

METHODS

12 consecutive patients were retrospectively included in this study. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain, the sub-scales Pain and Disability of the Foot Function Index (FFI-P and FFI-D) Score, and the patients' satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

AOFAS increased from poor to fair (p < 0.001), VAS score decreased from moderate to mild pain (p = 0.001), the final FFI-P and FFI-D were 37.50 ± 18.54 and 33.44 ± 16.24, respectively (p < 0.001). Five patients were not satisfied, three were moderately satisfied and four were highly satisfied. One implant repositioning, one ankle fusion (implant failing) and an additional surgery (double arthrodesis) were performed during the follow-up. Neither intra- nor postoperative complications were registered.

CONCLUSION

Despite the clinical improvement, pain was still present at the final follow-up. Metal resurfacing might not be considered a definitely valid alternative for treatment of OCDs after failed previous surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective study.

Biologic therapies for foot and ankle injuries

Introduction: The use of orthobiologics as supplemental treatment for foot and ankle pathologies have increased in the past decades. They have been used to improve the healing of bone and soft tissue injuries. There have been several studies that examined the use of biologics for knee and hip pathologies but the foot and ankle construct has unique features that must be considered.Areas covered: The biologics for foot and ankle injuries that are covered in this review are platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, growth factors, hyaluronic acid, bone grafts, bone substitutes, and scaffolds. These modalities are used in the treatment of pathologies related to tendon and soft tissue as well as cartilage.Expert opinion: The utilization of biological adjuncts for improved repair and regeneration of ankle injuries represents a promising future in our efforts to address difficult clinical problems. The application of concentrated bone marrow and PRP each represents the most widely studied and commonly used injection therapies with early clinical studies demonstrating promising results, research is also being done using other potential therapies such as stem cells and growth factors; further investigation and outcome data are still needed.

Osteochondral Defects of the Talus: How to Treat Without an Osteotomy

Surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus without an osteotomy depends on the size, location, and chronicity of the lesion. Bone marrow stimulation techniques, such as microfracture, can be performed arthroscopically and have consistently good outcomes in lesions less than 1 cm in diameter. For lesions not amenable to bone marrow stimulation, one-stage techniques, such as allograft cartilage extracellular matrix and allograft juvenile hyaline cartilage, may be used. Arthroscopy may be used in many cases to address these lesions; however, an arthrotomy may be required to use osteochondral autograft and allograft transplantation techniques.

Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With Large Subchondral Cysts Treated With Osteotomy and Autologous Chondral Grafts: Minimum 2-Year Follow-up and Second-Look Evaluation

Background:

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) with large subchondral cysts are challenging to treat.

Purpose:

To determine the safety and efficacy of autologous chondral grafting and malleolus osteotomy for treating OLTs associated with large subchondral cysts.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 19 patients underwent autologous chondral grafting and malleolus osteotomy. We obtained the visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot, and magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scores at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score was collected 2 years postoperatively during second-look arthroscopic surgery.

Results:

In all patients, the osteotomy site healed without nonunion or malunion. Only 1 patient developed joint space narrowing. No donor site complications occurred. The mean AOFAS score significantly improved at 1 year (from 72.8 ± 4.8 preoperatively to 93.7 ± 4.6; t = –13.708; P < .0001). The 1- and 2-year AOFAS scores were similar (t = –0.755; P = .455), indicating stable improvement. The mean VAS score significantly decreased at 1 year (from 4.68 ± 0.67 preoperatively to 0.47 ± 0.69; t = 18.974; P < .0001). The 1- and 2-year VAS scores were similar (t = –0.705; P = .455), as were the 1- and 2-year MOCART scores (64.2 ± 7.5 vs 67.4 ± 7.3, respectively; t = –1.312; P = .198). The ICRS scores were as follows: 7 points (abnormal) in 1 (5.2%) patient, 8 to 11 points (nearly normal) in 9 (47.4%) patients, and 12 points (normal) in 9 (47.4%) patients.

Conclusion:

Osteotomy combined with autologous osteochondral transplantation provided good functional outcomes in patients with OLTs and large subchondral cysts. Second-look arthroscopic surgery showed healthy cartilage healing.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in a Pediatric Population: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) in children presents a difficult clinical challenge, with few large series reported.

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional and radiographic outcomes for children and adolescents undergoing arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic OLT with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Patients were identified who had symptomatic OLT treated arthroscopically with marrow stimulation techniques. Inclusion criteria were age ≤18 years, symptomatic chronic OLT as the surgical indication, failure of nonoperative treatment, and minimum follow-up of 24 months. Outcome measures included Foot Function Index, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot Score, Tegner Activity Scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (Short Form-36, v 2), visual analog scale, ankle range of motion, and patient satisfaction survey. Weightbearing radiographs were compared with preoperative radiographs via an ankle arthritis classification system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate postoperative lesion characteristics per the MOCART scale (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue). The size, location, lesion stability, traumatic etiology, skeletal maturity, and length of follow-up were recorded and analyzed through univariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 22 patients (11 male, 11 female) with a mean age of 14.4 years (range, 8-18 years) and a mean follow-up of 8.3 years (range, 2-27 years). Of 22 patients, 20 were satisfied with the results from surgery and would recommend it to others. Mean follow-up visual analog scale for pain was reported as 2.2 on a 10-point scale, and mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score at follow-up was 86.6. Mean postoperative Foot Function Index scores for the study group were as follows: pain, 17.1; disability, 16.5; activity, 4.7; and overall, 38.7. Mean Short Form-36 physical component score was 50.7. Postoperative radiographs indicated a van Dijk osteoarthritis grade of 0 in 56%, I in 38%, II in 6%, and III in 0%. Postoperative MRI MOCART scores showed complete filling of the cartilage in 27% of cases, complete graft integration in 22%, and intact repair surface in 22%, with a mean MOCART score of 48.0. No correlation was found between radiographic and MRI findings and clinical outcomes. None of the prognostic factors were significantly associated with patient satisfaction, progression of arthritis, or MOCART scores.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic OLT in adolescent patients (≤18 years) demonstrated high functional outcomes, high clinical satisfaction rates, and minimal radiographic osteoarthritic progression despite low MOCART scores.

Outcomes and Predictors of Postoperative Pain Improvement Following Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplant for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

Particulated juvenile cartilage allograft transfer (PJCAT) is an emerging treatment option for management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs). This series reports on outcomes and identifies predictors for success following PJCAT for isolated OCLTs.

METHODS

We reviewed 33 consecutive patients who underwent PJCAT by a single surgeon from 2013 to 2017. Preoperative demographic factors (age, body mass index [BMI], tobacco use, behavioral health comorbidity, and ankle pain visual analog score [VAS]) and OCLT morphologic data were collected. Outcomes included postoperative improvements in VAS and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and clinical success/failure. Results of 7 second-look arthroscopies and complications are provided. Categorical data are reported as frequencies, and statistical means with P values are reported for continuous variables. We had a mean 3.5 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Improvement in ankle pain VAS following isolated PJCAT was 51% (P < .001). For the first 16 consecutive patients in whom complete AOFAS scores were available, 40% (P < .001) improvement occurred. Presence of 1 or more behavioral health diagnoses was a risk factor for decreased pain relief, while moderate to severe preoperative pain (VAS >5.9) predicted improved postoperative pain relief. Age, BMI, tobacco use, and OCLT morphology did not affect outcomes.

CONCLUSION

For treatment of large, high-stage OCLTs, PJCAT resulted in 40% to 50% improvement in ankle pain and disability within 3.5 years. The results may be better in patients with moderate to severe preoperative pain but worse in those with preexisting behavioral health diagnoses.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Osteochondral Defect of the Calcaneocuboid Joint: A Case Study

Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) are injuries affecting the articular cartilage surface of a joint. OCLs are well reported in the literature to affect the knee, talus, tibia, navicular, and first metatarsal. This rare case of a bipolar osteochondral lesion of the cuboid and calcaneus presented as lateral heel pain after a traumatic injury. After an unsuccessful course of conservative therapy, the lesion was treated with curettage and application juvenile particulate cartilage allograft. Eight months postoperatively, the patient was ambulating in supportive shoe gear without pain. The mechanism of injury leading to calcaneocuboid joint osteochondral lesions is not clearly understood. It is also questionable whether anatomic variances are contributory. Regardless of causality, OCLs should be included in the differential diagnoses for patients presenting with calcaneocuboid joint or lateral hindfoot pain.

Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Midterm Follow-up

BACKGROUND:

Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation represents a biologic restoration technique as an alternative treatment option for larger osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate midterm outcomes after OCA transplantation for the treatment of OLT.

METHODS:

Nineteen patients (20 ankles) received partial unipolar OCA transplant for symptomatic OLT between January 1998 and October 2014. The mean age was 34.7 years, and 53% were male. The average graft size was 3.8 cm². All patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Outcomes included the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Module (AAOS-FAM), the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), and pain and satisfaction questionnaires. Failure of OCA was defined as conversion to arthrodesis or revision OCA transplantation.

RESULTS:

Five of 20 ankles (25%) required further surgery, of which 3 (5%) were considered OCA failures (2 arthrodesis and 1 OCA revision). The mean time to failure was 3.5 (range, 0.9 to 6.7) years. Survivorship was 88.7% at 5 years and 81.3% at 10 years. The median follow-up of the 17 patients with grafts in situ was 9.7 years. The mean OMAS improved significantly from 40 points preoperatively to 71 points postoperatively ( P < .05; range, 5 to 55). The mean postoperative AAOS-FAM core score was 81.5 ± 15 (range, 40.5 to 96.6). Fifteen of 17 patients responded to follow-up questions regarding their ankle; 14 patients reported less pain and better function, and 13 patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure.

CONCLUSION:

Our study of midterm results after OCA transplantations showed that this procedure was a reasonable treatment option for large OLT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level IV, case series.

Enterococcus faecium L-15 Cell-Free Extract Improves the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Hyaline cartilage is a tissue of very low regenerative capacity because of its histology and limited nutrient supply. Cell-based therapies have been spotlighted in the regeneration of damaged cartilage. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are multipotent and are easily accessible for therapeutic purposes. In human gastrointestinal tracts, Enterococcus faecium is a naturally occurring commensal species of lactic acid bacteria. In this work, the human DPSCs were differentiated into chondrocytes using a chondrogenic differentiation medium with or without L-15 extract. We observed that chondrogenic differentiation improved in an E. faecium L-15 extract (L-15)-treated DPSC group via evaluation of chondrogenic-marker mRNA expression levels. In particular, we found that L-15 treatment promoted early-stage DPSC differentiation. Cells treated with L-15 were inhibited at later stages and were less likely to transform into hypertrophic chondrocytes. In L-15-treated groups, the total amount of cartilage extracellular matrix increased during the differentiation process. These results suggest that L-15 promotes chondrogenic differentiation, and that L-15 may be used for cartilage repair or cartilage health supplements. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the beneficial effect of L-15 treatment on chondrogenic differentiation.

Histological and Gross Evaluation through Second-Look Arthroscopy of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus after Failed Treatment with Particulated Juvenile Cartilage: A Case Series

Introduction

The treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) recalcitrant to non-surgical interventions is challenging. Particulated juvenile cartilage allograft transplantation (PJCAT) has become a viable treatment option, obviating the need for an osteotomy or second-stage surgery and eliminating risk of donor site morbidity. Short-term outcomes have been promising, but failures associated with PJCAT have not been well described.

Case Report

Four patients with OLTs who had continued symptoms after PJCAT underwent a second-look arthroscopic evaluation. The quality of cartilage repair was evaluated using the international cartilage repair society (ICRS) score. Biopsy of the repair was taken for histological analysis. Two patients demonstrated a lack of integration of the allograft into the surrounding cartilage, and two had failures associated with impingement. Three patients' repairs were consistent with a Grade III ICRS score and one with a Grade II score. Histological examination demonstrated fibrotic repair tissue (Type 1 collagen) with depleted proteoglycans and Type II collagen.

Conclusion

There were no obvious patients or surgical factors associated with poor outcomes. Integration of PJCAT with surrounding cartilage appears to be affected by biological and mechanical factors. Further, understanding of factors influencing PJCAT integration will help develop more specific indications for use.

Particulated Autograft Cartilage Implantation for the Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Novel Technique

Osteochondral lesions of the talus often occur following ankle sprains and fractures. Operative intervention is typically required because of the diminished intrinsic repair capability of talar articular cartilage. Several techniques have evolved that emphasize replacing the defect with cartilage that closely mimics the biological properties of hyaline articular cartilage. The goals of operative treatment are resolution of symptoms, physiologic healing, and restoration of function while eliminating the need for further intervention. This article describes a novel, single-step technique for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus with the use of particulated autograft cartilage implantation.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level V.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are a difficult pathologic entity to treat. They require a strong plan. Lesion size, location, chronicity, and characteristics such as displacement and the presence of subchondral cysts help dictate the appropriate treatment required to achieve a satisfactory result. In general, operative treatment is reserved for patients with displaced OLTs or for patients who have failed nonoperative treatment for 3 to 6 months. Operative treatments can be broken down into cartilage repair, replacement, and regenerative strategies. There are many promising treatment options, and research is needed to elucidate which are superior to minimize the morbidity from OLTs.

The role of biologic in foot and ankle trauma-a review of the literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The use of biologics in orthopedics is becoming increasingly popular as an adjuvant in healing musculoskeletal injuries. Though many biologics involved in the management of foot and ankle injuries are used based on physician preference, reports of improved outcomes when combined with standard operative treatment has led to further clinical interest especially in foot and ankle trauma.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most recent studies have shown benefits for biologic use in patients predisposed to poor bone and soft tissue healing. Biologics have shown benefit in treating soft tissue injuries such as Achilles ruptures as well as the complications of trauma such as non-unions and osteoarthritis. Biologics have shown some benefit in improving functional and pain scores, as well as reducing time to heal in foot and ankle traumatic injuries, with particular success shown with patients that have risk factors for poor healing. As the use of biologics continues to increase, there is a need for high-level studies to confirm early findings of lower level reports.

Scaffold-Based Therapies: Proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle

BACKGROUND

The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle are based on both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on "Scaffold-Based Therapies" developed at the 2017 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

METHODS

Seventy-five international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 25 countries and 1 territory were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within 11 working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed upon in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterized as follows: consensus, 51% to 74%; strong consensus, 75% to 99%; unanimous, 100%.

RESULTS

A total of 9 statements on scaffold-based therapies reached consensus during the 2017 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. One achieved unanimous support, 8 reached strong consensus (greater than 75% agreement), and 1 was removed because of redundancy in the information provided. All statements reached at least 80% agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with applying scaffold-based therapies as a treatment strategy for osteochondral lesions of the talus.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, expert opinion.

Outcome of autologous bone grafting with preservation of articular cartilage to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus with large associated subchondral cysts

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate antegrade autologous bone grafting with the preservation of articular cartilage in the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus with subchondral cysts.

Patients and Methods

The study involved seven men and five women; their mean age was 35.9 years (14 to 70). All lesions included full-thickness articular cartilage extending through subchondral bone and were associated with subchondral cysts. Medial lesions were exposed through an oblique medial malleolar osteotomy, and one lateral lesion was exposed by expanding an anterolateral arthroscopic portal. After refreshing the subchondral cyst, it was grafted with autologous cancellous bone from the distal tibial metaphysis. The fragments of cartilage were fixed with 5-0 nylon sutures to the surrounding cartilage. Function was assessed at a mean follow-up of 25.3 months (15 to 50), using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot outcome score. The radiological outcome was assessed using MRI and CT scans.

Results

The mean AOFAS score improved from 65.7 (47 to 81) preoperatively to 92 (90 to 100) at final follow-up, with 100% patient satisfaction. The radiolucent area of the cysts almost disappeared on plain radiographs in all patients immediately after surgery, and there were no recurrences at the most recent follow-up. The medial malleolar screws were removed in seven patients, although none had symptoms. At this time, further arthroscopy was undertaken, when it was found that the mean International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) arthroscopic score represented near-normal cartilage.

Conclusion

Autologous bone grafting with fixation of chondral fragments preserves the original cartilage in the short term, and could be considered in the treatment for adult patients with symptomatic osteochondral defect and subchondral cysts. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:590-5.

Surgical management of large talar osteochondral defects using autologous chondrocyte implantation

BACKGROUND

Talar osteochondral lesions (OLT) occur frequently in ankle sprains and fractures. We hypothesize that matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) will have a low reoperation rate and high patient satisfaction rate in treating OLT less than 2.5cm².

METHODS

A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed with PRISMA guidelines using three publicly available free databases. Clinical outcome investigations reporting OLT outcomes with levels of evidence I-IV were eligible for inclusion. All study, subject, and surgical technique demographics were analyzed and compared. Statistics were calculated using Student's t-tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-squared, and two-proportion Z-tests.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles met our inclusion criteria, which resulted in a total of 343 patients. Six studies pertained to arthroscopic MACI, 8 to open MACI, and 5 studies to open periosteal ACI (PACI). All studies were Level IV evidence. Due to study quality, imprecise and sparse data, and potential for reporting bias, the quality of evidence is low. In comparison of open and arthroscopic MACI, we found both advantages favoring open MACI. However, open MACI had higher complication rates.

CONCLUSIONS

No procedure demonstrates superiority or inferiority between the combination of open or arthroscopic MACI and PACI in the management of OLT less than 2.5cm². Ultimately, well-designed randomized trials are needed to address the limitation of the available literature and further our understanding of the optimal treatment options.

Osteochondral lesions of the ankle: The current evidence supporting scaffold-based techniques and biological adjuncts

BACKGROUND

Talar osteochondral lesions are more common than has been previously recognized. Optimal treatment remains unclear and the subject of much debate in the literature. Although reparative techniques such as microfracture have produced initial good results and remain the gold standard in the management of these lesions, the literature is deficient in long-term data. Recently, techniques focused on enhancing the local biological environment have been developed which have demonstrated promising outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed the available evidence concerning scaffold-based techniques and biological adjuncts in the management of talar osteochondral lesions published in the English language on PubMed.

RESULTS

An update is provided on the current evidence concerning the role of biological adjuncts in the management of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been an explosion of interest among the orthopaedic community in the role of biologics in the management of complex talar osteochondral lesions. A number of exciting new techniques have been developed which show promise. Robust randomized control trials are required to identify the optimal surgical strategy.

Treatment of a Focal Articular Cartilage Defect of the Talus with Polymer-Based Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: A 12-Year Follow-Up Period

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a first-line treatment option for large articular cartilage defects. Although well-established for cartilage defects in the knee, studies of the long-term outcomes of matrix-assisted ACI to treat cartilage defects in the ankle are rare. In the present report, we describe for the first time the long-term clinical and radiologic results 12 years after polymer-based matrix-assisted ACI treat a full-thickness talar cartilage defect in a 25-year-old male patient. The clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale and Freiburg ankle score, magnetic resonance imaging evaluation using the Henderson-Kreuz scoring system and T2 mapping. Clinical assessment revealed improved visual analog scale and Freiburg ankle scores. The radiologic analysis and T2 relaxation time values indicated the formation of hyaline-like repair tissue. Polymer-based autologous chondrocytes has been shown to be a safe and clinically effective long-term treatment of articular cartilage defects in the talus.

Correlation of MRI Appearance of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Ankle with Clinical Outcome

The objective of this study was to characterize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and correlate with clinical results in patients who underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

METHODS

Twenty-four grafts were evaluated at a mean 65.8 months after ACI for OLT. MRI was performed on a 1.5-T GE scanner using multiple sequences. Graft appearance was compared with preoperative MRI and evaluated for 6 criteria: defect fill, surface regularity, signal pattern, bone marrow edema, subchondral plate irregularity, and presence of cystic lesions. Clinical outcome was measured with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) clinical outcome score.

RESULTS

Of 24 grafts, 22 (92%) demonstrated >75% defect fill. Eighteen (75%) had a mildly irregular and 6 (25%) had a moderately irregular articular surface. The signal pattern of the repair tissue was heterogenous in 23 (96%); 14 (58%) layered and 9 (38%) mottled. Fourteen grafts (58%) showed decreased amount of bone marrow edema while 4 (17%) had no change and 5 (21%) had an increase in the amount of bone marrow edema. The subchondral bone plate was abnormal in most grafts, with focal defects seen in 10, slight depression in 7, and both in 5. Seven had an increase in cystic lesions while the others had no change, decrease or no cysts seen. Mean postoperative AOFAS score was 87.5 with mean improvement of 39.4.

CONCLUSIONS

At 66-month mean follow-up, MRI appearance of the ACI grafts show imaging abnormalities but demonstrate good clinical results. While MRI is an important tool in the postoperative assessment of ACI grafts, the various variations from a normal/nonoperative ankle must be interpreted with caution.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Potential Role in the Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle

Given articular cartilage has a limited repair potential, untreated osteochondral lesions of the ankle can lead to debilitating symptoms and joint deterioration necessitating joint replacement. While a wide range of reparative and restorative surgical techniques have been developed to treat osteochondral lesions of the ankle, there is no consensus in the literature regarding which is the ideal treatment. Tissue engineering strategies, encompassing stem cells, somatic cells, biomaterials, and stimulatory signals (biological and mechanical), have a potentially valuable role in the treatment of osteochondral lesions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive resource for regenerative medicine approaches, given their ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple stromal cell types, including chondrocytes. Although MSCs have demonstrated significant promise in in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, their success in treating osteochondral lesions of the ankle is inconsistent, necessitating further clinical trials to validate their application. This review highlights the role of MSCs in cartilage regeneration and how the application of biomaterials and stimulatory signals can enhance chondrogenesis. The current treatments for osteochondral lesions of the ankle using regenerative medicine strategies are reviewed to provide a clinical context. The challenges for cartilage regeneration, along with potential solutions and safety concerns are also discussed.

Restorative Tissue Transplantation Options for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Review

Symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus remain a challenging problem due to inability for cartilage lesions to heal. Numerous treatment options exist, including nonoperative management, marrow stimulating techniques, and autograft-allograft. Arthroscopic marrow stimulation forms fibrocartilage that has been shown to be biomechanically weaker than hyaline cartilage. Restorative tissue transplantation options are being used more for larger and cystic lesions. Newer biologics and particulated juvenile cartilage are currently under investigation for possible clinical efficacy. This article provides an evidenced-based summary of available literature on the use of biologics for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.