Midterm Outcomes of Bone Marrow Stimulation for Primary Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review

Morphology of the Calcaneofibular Ligament Reflects Degeneration of the Talonavicular Articular Surface: A Cadaver Study

Background: Osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the articular cartilage due to bone-on-bone collisions and friction. The length, width, and thickness of the ligaments are expected to change in order to regulate excessive bone-to-bone movement. We aimed to clarify the relationship between ligament morphology and joint surface degeneration in the ankle joints using macroscopic observations and measurements. Methods: The participants were 50 feet of 45 Japanese cadavers. The lengths, widths, and thicknesses of the tibionavicular, tibiospring, tibiocalcaneal, posterior tibiotalar, anterior tibiotalar, and calcaneofibular ligaments (CFLs) were measured. The degeneration of the talonavicular joint surface was investigated macroscopically and classified into two groups: the Degeneration (+) group and Degeneration (-) group. Unpaired t-tests were performed for each measurement. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the significantly different items to obtain cutoff values, sensitivity, and specificity. Results: Only the width of the CFL differed significantly between the Degeneration (+) (20 feet) and Degeneration (-) groups (p < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, the width of the CFL had an R2 of 0.262, sensitivity of 75.0%, and specificity of 83.3%, with a cutoff value of 8.7 mm. Conclusions: A wide CFL indicates a high likelihood of talonavicular articular surface degeneration.

Effects of Losartan and Fisetin on Microfracture-Mediated Cartilage Repair of Ankle Cartilage in a Rabbit Model

BACKGROUND

Microfracture is one surgical treatment strategy for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) but results in fibrocartilage repair tissue, which has inferior mechanical properties to native hyaline cartilage. Biological regulation of microfracture has been suggested to improve the quality of cartilage repair in patients.

PURPOSE

To determine if administration of losartan, fisetin, or losartan and fisetin combined can enhance microfracture-mediated cartilage repair of OLTs in a rabbit model.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Four-month-old female rabbits were divided into the following groups (8 rabbits per group): microfracture only (microfracture), microfracture plus losartan (losartan), microfracture plus fisetin (fisetin), and microfracture plus losartan and fisetin (losartan+fisetin). A 2.7-mm osteochondral defect and 4 microfracture holes were created in the talar dome cartilage. The rabbits were administered losartan (10 mg/kg/day), fisetin (20 mg/kg/day), or losartan and fisetin orally until euthanized 12 weeks after surgery. Gross evaluation, micro-computed tomography, histology, and immunohistochemistry evaluations of the osteochondral defects were performed as well as quantitative polymerase chain reaction of capsule tissue and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of serum.

RESULTS

The losartan and fisetin groups had increased International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society macroscopic scores with improved cartilage repair and enhanced subchondral bone healing compared with the microfracture group. However, the losartan+fisetin group did not show a synergistic effect. O'Driscoll histology scores were higher in the losartan and fisetin groups compared with the microfracture group, while the losartan+fisetin group had a lower score than the losartan, fisetin, and microfracture groups. Collagen type 2 staining revealed organized chondrocytes in the losartan and fisetin groups, but the losartan+fisetin group did not show improvement when compared with other groups. Fisetin treatment decreased catalase and transforming growth factor-β1-activated kinase 1 expression in capsular tissue.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant microfracture and biological regulation, using oral administration of either losartan or fisetin, may improve cartilage healing of OLTs; however, losartan and fisetin combined in the current drug administration regimen does not appear to provide synergistic effects.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Oral intake of losartan or fisetin may result in beneficial effects on microfracture-mediated cartilage repair of OLTs.

An Evidence-Based Update on Fixation Procedures for Acute and Chronic Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) involve the subchondral bone and the overlying articular cartilage. Various surgical treatments for these lesions are available, such as bone marrow stimulation (BMS), autologous osteochondral grafting, and fixation of an osteochondral fragment. Treatment choice depends on the condition of the lesion, which includes lesion size, morphology, location, and the presence of cysts. Among the surgical procedures available to date, in situ fixation of the osteochondral fragment has the advantage of restoring the articular surface while preserving the native hyaline cartilage and its subchondral bone. Fixation for OLT has been shown to be clinically successful for the treatment of both acute and chronic lesions. Moreover, the indication for osteochondral fragment fixation is expanding as recent studies have found good clinical outcomes in relatively small-sized lesions. The present article describes the current evidence on fixation for acute and chronic OLT.

Development of osteophytes and joint space narrowing is associated with cartilage degeneration of the osteochondral fragment in the osteochondral lesion of the talus

BACKGROUND

During surgery for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT), preservation or excision of the osteochondral fragment is chosen based on the cartilage condition which influences the indication and clinical outcomes of surgical treatments. However, it is difficult to predict arthroscopic and histological findings of the cartilage on osteochondral fragments by radiographic evaluation. We focused on osteoarthritis (OA) changes on plain radiographs to predict the cartilage condition of the OLT. This study aimed to evaluate whether OA changes, including osteophyte and joint space narrowing, could predict arthroscopic and histological findings of the cartilage in OLT.

METHODS

Seventy ankles with OLT were included in this study. Osteophytes and joint space narrowing were scored on plain radiographs. Lesion sizes were measured on computed tomography images. The cartilage surfaces of fragments were arthroscopically assessed using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade. Biopsy specimens from 32 ankles were histologically analyzed using the Mankin score. The relationships between OA scores, lesion size, ICRS grades, and Mankin score were analyzed.

RESULTS

OA changes were frequently observed with increasing ICRS grades, especially in the medial tibiotalar joint. OA scores in patients with ICRS grade 1 were significantly lower than those in ICRS grades 2,3, and 4. The lesion sizes in patients with ICRS grade 3 and 4 were significantly smaller than those in patients with ICRS grade 1 and 2. Histological analysis showed increasing Mankin scores as the ICRS grade worsened. A mild correlation existed between the OA and Mankin scores (rs = 0.494).

CONCLUSIONS

OA changes, such as osteophyte formation and joint space narrowing, are associated with arthroscopic findings of the articular surface and cartilage degeneration in osteochondral fragment in OLT. Articular cartilage conditions can be predicted by OA changes on plain radiographs, which is useful for choosing the appropriate treatment for patients with OLT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level Ⅳ, case series.

Inter- and Intra-Observer Variability of the AMADEUS Tool for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

Managing osteochondral cartilage defects (OCDs) of the talus is a common daily challenge in orthopaedics as they predispose patients to further cartilage damage and progression to osteoarthritis. Therefore, the implementation of a reliable tool to quantify the amount of cartilage damage that is present is of the essence.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 15 adult patients diagnosed with uncontained OCDs of the talus measuring <150 mm2, which were treated arthroscopically with bone marrow stimulation. Five independent assessors evaluated the pre-operative MRI scans with the AMADEUS scoring system (i.e., MR-based pre-operative assessment system) and the intra-/inter-observer variability was then calculated by means of the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Kappa (κ) statistics, respectively. In addition, the correlation between the mean AMADEUS scores and pre-operative self-reported outcomes as measured by the Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire (MOxFQ) was assessed.

RESULTS

The mean ICC and the κ statistic were 0.82 (95% CI [0.71, 0.94]) and 0.42 (95% CI [0.25, 0.59]). The Pearson correlation coefficient was found to be r = -0.618 (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

The AMADEUS tool, which was originally designed to quantify knee osteochondral defect severity prior to cartilage repair surgery, demonstrated good reliability and moderate inter-observer variability for small OCDs of the talar shoulder. Given the strong negative correlation between the AMADEUS tool and pre-operative clinical scores, this tool could be implemented in clinical practise to reliably quantify the extent of the osteochondral defects of the talus.

Hounsfield Unit values on the subchondral bone are related to clinical outcomes in bone marrow stimulation for osteochondral lesions of the talus

BACKGROUND

Poor clinical outcomes in bone marrow stimulation (BMS) for the osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) are caused by subchondral bone deterioration. It is reported that microfracture induces endochondral ossification in the subchondral bone, which may affect the subchondral bone condition after BMS. This study analyzed osteosclerotic patterns of the bed in OLTs on computed tomography (CT) images and the relationship between the subchondral bone condition and clinical outcomes of BMS.

METHODS

Sixty-nine ankles in 61 patients with OLT were included. Hounsfield unit (HU) on the bed of OLTs was measured on CT images and the pattern of osteosclerosis or absorption in the bed was analyzed. In these patients, 25 ankles in 24 patients underwent BMS. They were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of bone marrow edema (BME) one year after surgery, and clinical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

HUs in the anterior region were significantly higher than those of other areas. In patients with BMS, the JSSF scale for BME positive group (88.0 ± 7.7 points) was significantly lower than that for BME negative group (95.0 ± 6.1 points) (p < 0.05) at the final follow-up. On preoperative CT images, HU values of the central region in the BME-positive group were significantly lower than those in the BME-negative group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Osteosclerotic changes in the anterior part of the bed were frequently observed, and BMS for the area with low HU values decreased clinical outcomes. BMS should be performed with attention to subchondral bone condition to obtain good clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4, case series.

The efficacy of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for osteochondral lesions of the talus in the mid-long term: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature regarding the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) using autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC), while also discussing the mid-long term functional outcomes, complications, and surgical failure rate.

METHODS

We searched Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science for studies on OLT treated with AMIC with an average follow-up of at least 2 years. Publication information, patient data, functional scores, surgical failure rate, and complications were extracted.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were screened and included, with 12 case series selected for meta-analysis and 3 non-randomized controlled studies chosen for descriptive analysis. The improvements in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot, and Tegner scores at the last follow-up were (SMD = - 2.825, 95% CI - 3.343 to  - 2.306, P < 0.001), (SMD = 2.73, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.86, P < 0.001), (SMD = 0.85, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.2, P < 0.001) respectively compared to preoperative values. The surgery failure rate was 11% (95% CI 8-15%), with a total of 12 patients experiencing complications.

CONCLUSION

The use of AMIC demonstrates a positive impact on pain management, functional improvement, and mobility enhancement in patients with OLT. It is worth noting that the choice of stent for AMIC, patient age, and OLT size can influence the ultimate clinical outcomes. This study provides evidences supporting the safety and efficacy of AMIC as a viable treatment option in real-world medical practice.

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.

Cartilage Injuries: Basic Science Update

The last several decades have brought about substantial development in our understanding of the biomolecular pathways associated with chondral disease and progression to arthritis. Within domains relevant to foot and ankle, genetic modification of stem cells, augmentation of bone marrow stimulation techniques, and improvement on existing scaffolds for delivery of orthobiologic agents hold promise in improving treatment of chondral injuries. This review summarizes novel developments in the understanding of the molecular pathways underlying chondral damage and some of the recent advancements within related therapeutics.

Comparative analysis of short-term efficacy between robot-assisted retrograde drilling and arthroscopic microfracture for osteochondral lesions of the talus

Objective

To investigate the short-term clinical efficacy of robot-assisted retrograde drilling and arthroscopic microfracture for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLT).

Methods

This study was divided into two groups: experimental group: robot-assisted retrograde drilling group; control group: arthroscopic microfracture group. A total of 6 OCLT patients who were treated with robot navigation-assisted retrograde drilling and 10 OCLT patients who were treated with arthroscopic microfracture between October 2020 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 11 males and five females, with a mean age of 36 years. The patients were followed up for 6-12 months to compare the changes in the OCLT lesion area by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual analogue scale/score (VAS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS) before and after surgery.

Results

All 16 patients were followed up for an average of 8 months, and no complications such as joint infection, nerve injury, or active bleeding occurred during the follow-up period. Only one patient suffered discomfort involving transient postoperative pain in the operative area, but did not experience long-term numbness or chronic pain. Postoperative MRI revealed that none of the patients had severe signs of osteonecrosis, osteolysis or cystic changes of the talus, with lesion areas smaller than those before surgery. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The patients in the experimental group showed a more significant improvement in the last 3 months than in the first 3 months of the follow-up period. At the last follow-up, the VAS score was 3 points in the experimental group and 2.2 points in the control group, and the AOFAS score was 88.6 points in the experimental group and 88 points in the control group, all of which were significantly higher than those before operation, and the differences were statistically significant, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

Both robot navigation-assisted retrograde drilling and arthroscopic microfracture for bone marrow stimulation (BMS) to treat OCLT in all patients obtained satisfactory effects in the short term. In addition, the follow-up revealed that with excellent efficacy and few complications, robot navigation-assisted retrograde drilling was safe and minimally invasive, and greatly reduced operative time. Consequently, robot navigation-assisted retrograde drilling for BMS was a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of OCLT.

Comparison of Arthroscopic Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With and Without Small and Shallow Subchondral Cysts

BACKGROUND

Whether arthroscopic microfracture is effective in treating cystic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) remains controversial. In this study, outcome parameters in patients with small and shallow subchondral cysts are compared to patients without cysts with the hypothesis that equivalent outcomes may be found after primary microfracture treatment.

METHODS

From 2018 to 2021, all 50 OLTs treated with arthroscopic microfracture in the authors' hospital were retrospectively reviewed for eligibility. Single unilateral symptomatic lesions were included and divided into the cyst and noncyst groups, whereas kissing lesions and arthritic lesions were excluded. Numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, Tegner activity level scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging results were used to describe outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients were included, 16 in the cyst group and 19 in the noncyst group. The patient characteristics were similar between the 2 groups (P > .05). In the cyst group the average cysts depth was 5.0 ± 1.3 mm. After a mean follow-up duration of 36.2 ± 10.2 months, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups in NRS, AOFAS, FAAM, or Tegner score improvement (P > .05). Three patients (19%) in the cyst group had no NRS score improvement.

CONCLUSION

OLTs with small and shallow subchondral cysts can be treated with arthroscopic microfracture and achieve similar outcomes as noncystic lesions. A few cystic lesions may not respond to microfracture treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Current Lack of Evidence on Treatment Strategies and Clinical Outcomes for Osteochondral Lesions of the Subtalar, Talonavicular, and Calcaneocuboid Joints: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

In contrast to osteochondral lesion (OCL) of the ankle, OCLs in other joints of the foot, such as subtalar joint, talonavicular joint, calcaneocuboid joint, and the midfoot, are rare conditions, but they can also lead to significant morbidity. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the clinical evidence for the treatment of OCLs of the subtalar, talonavicular, calcaneocuboid, and the other midfoot joints.

DESIGN

A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in January 2021 based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines by 2 independent reviewers. Included studies were evaluated with regard to LOE (level of evidence) and QOE (quality of evidence). Variable reporting outcome data, clinical outcomes, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies with 21 patients were included, all of which were case reports (level 5) without any case series reporting greater than 3 patients. There were 5 patients with OCL in the subtalar joint, 15 patients in the talonavicular joint, and 1 patient in the calcaneocuboid joint. Thirteen case reports (4 subtalar joint, 8 talonavicular joint, and 1 calcaneocuboid joint) reported surgical treatment. Surgical procedures mainly included debridement, bone marrow stimulation, fixation, and bone grafting, through open or arthroscopy, all of which resulted in successful outcomes. Four case reports (1 subtalar joint, 3 talonavicular joint) reported successful conservative treatment. Other 13 case reports reported successful surgery after failed conservative treatment. No complications and reoperations were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The current systematic review revealed that there is no available evidence to ascertain clinical outcomes of both conservative and surgical treatments for cartilage lesions in the talonavicular joint, subtalar joint, and the midfoot joints, owing to the extreme paucity of literature. Both nonoperative and operative treatments can be considered, but no treatment strategies have been established.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: The Questions We Would Like Answered

Osteochondral lesions of the talus is common pathology that foot and ankle surgeons evaluate and treat. There is a variety of treatment modalities at the surgeon's disposal to repair these lesions, which include both open and arthroscopic surgical techniques. Although both open and arthroscopic techniques have a good success rate, there are still many debates and questions that surround this pathology. The goal of this article is to discuss some of the common questions that we ask ourselves and other surgeons.

Ankle Sprains in Athletes: Current Epidemiological, Clinical and Imaging Trends

Purpose

Ankle injuries are frequent sports injuries. Despite optimizing treatment strategies during recent years, the percentage of chronification following an ankle sprain remains high. The purpose of this review article is, to highlight current epidemiological, clinical and novel advanced cross-sectional imaging trends that may help to evaluate ankle sprain injuries.

Methods

Systematic PubMed literature research. Identification and review of studies (i) analyzing and describing ankle sprain and (ii) focusing on advanced cross-sectional imaging techniques at the ankle.

Results

The ankle is one of the most frequently injured body parts in sports. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a change in sporting behavior and sports injuries. Ankle sprains account for about 16-40% of the sports-related injuries. Novel cross-sectional imaging techniques, including Compressed Sensing MRI, 3D MRI, ankle MRI with traction or plantarflexion-supination, quantitative MRI, CT-like MRI, CT arthrography, weight-bearing cone beam CT, dual-energy CT, photon-counting CT, and projection-based metal artifact reduction CT may be introduced for detection and evaluation of specific pathologies after ankle injury. While simple ankle sprains are generally treated conservatively, unstable syndesmotic injuries may undergo stabilization using suture-button-fixation. Minced cartilage implantation is a novel cartilage repair technique for osteochondral defects at the ankle.

Conclusion

Applications and advantages of different cross-sectional imaging techniques at the ankle are highlighted. In a personalized approach, optimal imaging techniques may be chosen that best detect and delineate structural ankle injuries in athletes.

Osteochondral lesions of the talar dome

Ankle pain and/or instability is a frequent, non-specific reason for consultation, and may reveal an osteochondral lesion of the talar dome (OLTD). There are 2 types of OLTD: (1) posteromedial, usually idiopathic, wide and deep, featuring isolated pain with severe functional impact; (2) anterolateral, often implicating trauma and associated in 30% of cases with lateral ligament involvement, in a clinical presentation associating pain and instability. The aim of the present study was to review the issue of OLTD, with 5 questions: HOW TO ESTABLISH THE DIAGNOSIS, WITH WHAT WORK-UP?: There are no specific clinical signs. A diagnosis of OLTD should be considered in all cases of painful and/or unstable ankle and especially in case of history of sprain. The clinical work-up screens systematically for laxity or associated hindfoot malalignment. CT-arthrography is the gold-standard, enabling morphologic analysis of OLTD. WHAT CLASSIFICATIONS SHOULD BE USED?: CT-arthrography determines length, depth and any cartilage dissection, classifying OLTD in 3 grades. Grade 1 is a lesion<10mm in length and<5mm in depth. Grade 2 is>10mm in length and/or>5mm in depth with intact cartilage around the lesion. Grade 3 is the same as grade 2 but with overlying cartilage dissection. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TREATMENT INDICATIONS?: After failure of 6 months' well-conducted medical treatment (sports rest, analgesics, physiotherapy), surgical options in France today comprise microfracture in grade 1 OLTD, raising the fragment, freshening the floor of the lesion and fixing the fragment (known as "lift, drill, fill, fix" (LDFF)) in grade 2, and mosaicplasty in grade 3. WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE TREATMENTS AND THEIR ROLES?: Treatments are progressing and improving. Ideal treatment should restore hyaline cartilage to prevent secondary osteoarthritis. Matrix and cell culture techniques need to be validated. WHAT RESULTS CAN BE EXPECTED AND WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS BE TOLD?: Management according to grade secures AOFAS scores≥80/100 in 80% of cases, whatever the grade. Return to sport is feasible in 80% of case, at a mean 6 months. Progression is satisfactory after treatment adapted to the lesion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, expert opinion.

Gender Differences May Exist in the Presentation, Mechanism of Injury and Outcomes Following Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is indicated for patients who have symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). Despite differences in ankle biomechanics and cartilage morphology between men and women, there is scant evidence examining whether these differences affect surgical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in men and women following BMS for OLTs. A retrospective analysis comparing female and male patients treated with BMS for OLT between 2007 and 2015 was performed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) and Short-Form 12 (SF-12). Magnetic resonance imaging at final follow-up was evaluated with the modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score. Thirty-one females and 38 males were included. In female patients, the mean FAOS pain score improved from 60 ± 16 preoperatively to 84 ± 8.9 at 1- to 2-year follow-up (p < .01), and then decreased to 80±13 at final follow-up at 3-4 years. In male patients, the mean FAOS pain score improved from 65±17 preoperatively to 83±9.2 at 1-2 year follow-up (p < .01), and then decreased to 76±14.6 at final follow-up at 3-4 years. Lateral lesions were more common in male patients. Medial lesions were more common in female patients. The outcomes following BMS in both female and male patients were good with no significant differences at short-term follow-up. FAOS scores in male patients were more likely to decrease after 1 to 2 years postsurgery, implying a possibly faster decline than in female patients.

Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondral Fragment Fixation Versus Microfracture Even for Small Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

The bone marrow stimulation (BMS) technique is performed for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) with a lesion size of <100 mm². The lesion defect is covered with fibrocartilage, and the clinical outcomes deteriorate over time. In contrast, the osteochondral fragment fixation can restore the native articular surface. The difference in clinical outcomes between these procedures is unclear.

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes of BMS and osteochondral fragment fixation for OLTs and examine the characteristics of patients with poor clinical outcomes of BMS.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

In total, 62 ankles in 59 patients with OLTs were included. BMS was performed for 26 ankles, and fixation was performed for 36 ankles. Clinical outcomes, including the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale and bone marrow edema (BME) as identified on magnetic resonance imaging, were compared between the 2 groups. On computed tomography scans, the lesion location was compared with or without BME in each group.

RESULTS

The AOFAS scores in the fixation group (97.3 ± 4.3 points) were significantly higher than those in the BMS group (91.3 ± 7.7 points), even when the lesion size was <100 mm² (P < .05). When comparing the ankles with or without BME in each group, the AOFAS scores at the final follow-up were significantly lower for the ankles with BME (88.6 ± 7.8 points) than for those without BME (95.0 ± 6.1 points) in the BMS group (P < .05). Lesions with BME in the sagittal plane were located more centrally than those without BME in the BMS group. In the fixation group, there were no significant differences in AOFAS scores and location of the lesion in ankles with or without BME.

CONCLUSION

The clinical outcomes of osteochondral fragment fixation are superior to those of BMS in OLTs, even for lesions sized <100 mm². Fixation is recommended even for small lesions, especially for more centralized lesions in the medial and lateral sides of the talus.

The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Analyzing MOCART 1 and 2.0

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MOCART (Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) 1 and 2.0 scores in the assessment of postoperative outcome after autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). It was hypothesized that preoperative patient factors or OLT morphology are associated with postoperative MOCART scores; yet postoperative clinical outcome is not.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 4. This study evaluated isolated AMIC that were implanted on the talus of 35 patients for the treatment of symptomatic OLT. Tegner and AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) scores were obtained at an average follow-up of 4.5 ± 1.8 years and postoperative MRI scored according to the MOCART 1 and 2.0.

RESULTS

OLT size showed significant correlation with postoperative MRI scores (MOCART 1: P = 0.006; MOCART 2.0: P = 0.004). Bone grafting was significantly associated with a MOCART 1 subscale (signal intensity of repair tissue; P = 0.038). Age and defect size showed significant correlations with MOCART 2.0 subscales (P < 0.05). Patients with shorter follow-up had a significantly higher MOCART 1 score and a trend toward better MOCART 2.0 scores than patients with longer follow-up (64.7 vs. 52.9 months, P = 0.02; 69.4 vs. 60.6 months, P = 0.058). No MOCART score was associated with postoperative patient-reported outcomes (n.s.).

CONCLUSION

Osteochondral lesion size is associated with postoperative MOCART scores in patients treated with AMIC for OLTs, with decreasing MOCART scores over time. Yet clinical outcome does not correlate with any MOCART score. Thus, MOCART assessment seems to have no significant role in the postoperative treatment of asymptomatic patients that underwent AMIC for OLTs.

Arthroscopic debridement of osteochondral lesions of the talus: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic debridement (AD) for the osteochondral lesions of the talar dome (OLT) was widely documented in the nineties with satisfactory results. However, in modern treatment algorithms, its role is not described. The present systematic review aims to evaluate the current evidence on the clinical outcomes of AD in the management of OLT.

METHODS

Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library databases evaluating the clinical outcomes of AD of OLT with a minimum 6-month follow-up. The following terms "talus", "chondral", "cartilage", "injury", "lesion", "delamination", "damage", "excision", "curettage", "debridement", "chondrectomy", "chondroplasty", were used alone and in combination with Boolean operators AND and OR. Studies in which surgical technique was not described, an additional procedure was performed after debridement, and/or outcomes were not reported separately when more than one technique was implemented were excluded. The modified Coleman methodology score (mCMS) was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. A narrative analysis was conducted. Publication bias was assessed using the ROBIS tool.

RESULTS

AD showed satisfactory short and medium-term outcomes for the primary treatment of OLT irrespectively of size and depth. However, the heterogeneity of the included studies and the level of available evidence hinders its recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a paucity of evidence evaluating AD alone for OLT treatment in the last two decades. Bone-marrow stimulation techniques remain the first-line surgical strategy for OLT treatment without proven superiority. Adopting AD for OLT treatment instead of MF could represent a paradigm breakthrough in clinical practice given its many potential advantages while preserving the subchondral plate.

Smoking Is Associated with Anterior Ankle Impingement After Isolated Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

OBJECTIVE

To determine potential predictive associations between patient-/lesion-specific factors, clinical outcome and anterior ankle impingement in patients that underwent isolated autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT).

DESIGN

Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 34.7 ± 15 years who underwent isolated cartilage repair with AMIC for OLTs were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 4.5 ± 1.9 years. Patients completed AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) scores at final follow-up, as well as Tegner scores at final follow-up and retrospectively for preinjury and presurgery time points. Pearson correlation and multivariate regression models were used to distinguish associations between patient-/lesion-specific factors, the need for subsequent surgery due to anterior ankle impingement and patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

At final follow-up, AOFAS and Tegner scores averaged 92.6 ± 8.3 and 5.1 ± 1.8, respectively. Both body mass index (BMI) and duration of symptoms were independent predictors for postoperative AOFAS and Δ preinjury to postsurgery Tegner with positive smoking status showing a trend toward worse AOFAS scores, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.054). Nine patients (25.7%) required subsequent surgery due to anterior ankle impingement. Smoking was the only factor that showed significant correlation with postoperative anterior ankle impingement with an odds ratio of 10.61 when adjusted for BMI and duration of symptoms (95% CI, 1.04-108.57; P = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

In particular, patients with normal BMI and chronic symptoms benefit from AMIC for the treatment of OLTs. Conversely, smoking cessation should be considered before AMIC due to the increased risk of subsequent surgery and possibly worse clinical outcome seen in active smokers.

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.

Proposal of a new CT arthrographic classification system of osteochondral lesions of the talus

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) is warranted if medical treatments fail, achieving good results in around 85% of cases. Numerous classification systems, based on all possible imaging modalities (radiography, MRI, CT scan, scintigraphy, and CT arthrography), have been proposed to guide surgical treatments, but none has proven to be superior. A recent study demonstrated the prognostic value of CT arthrography by accurately describing the subchondral bone plate. A systematic review of the literature has brought new criteria to predict good outcome following bone marrow stimulation surgical techniques: lesions should measure less than 1 centimeter in size and 5 millimeters in depth. Based on these data, we are proposing a new simple, 3-stage CT arthrographic classification system of OLT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After a brief overview of the classification, 60 CT-arthrographies of ankles with OLT were organized according to this new CT arthrographic classification system by four surgeons (two juniors and two seniors). Two imaging assessments were performed one month apart. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fleiss' kappa coefficient to determine the inter- and intraobserver agreement.

RESULTS

An excellent inter- and intraobserver agreement was found with overall Fleiss' kappa coefficients of 0.897 and 0.847, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed an excellent inter- and intraobserver agreement for this new CT arthrographic classification system of OLT. The principal advantage of this new classification system, based on the latest data in the literature, is its ability to easily distinguish lesions that are more amenable to bone marrow stimulation techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

The Ankle Spacer-a hemiarthroplasty for treatment of severe osteochondral defects of the talus

OBJECTIVE

The Ankle Spacer system has been developed as a joint-preserving option for patients with failed treatment of large talar osteochondral defects (OCDs). It is a one-piece implant system that replaces the articulating upper talus surface of the tibiotalar joint.

INDICATIONS

Large OCDs with failed prior surgical intervention(s) and/or multiple talar OCDs on the talar surface, posttraumatic or degenerative osteoarthritis, or avascular necrosis of the talus.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Severe malalignment exceeding 7° and other ankle deformities that would not allow proper rasping of the talus, obesity, blood supply limitations, severe osteopenia, and previous or active infections.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The surgery is carried out via a central approach to the ankle joint. The tibiotalar joint was distracted to remove the cartilage on the upper talar surface with special talus rasps and to perform microfracture of the entire talar surface. The appropriate Ankle Spacer trial was then inserted into the joint and fluoroscopy was used to check for proper trial size and positioning. After thorough cleaning of the prepared bone bed, the Ankle Spacer was inserted with a special seating instrument.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

One surgeon in our center implanted ten Ankle Spacers between April 2018 and October 2019. The first short-term data with follow-up of 3 months were collated.

RESULTS

No implant-related complications were recorded. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score increased from 55.5 to 79.5 points, European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score increased from 5.6 to 13.5 points, and pain score decreased from 3 to 1.1 points. None of the patients' radiographs showed signs of loosening or osteoarthritis progression.

Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Tibial Plafond: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The literature on osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTPs) is sparse. The aim of this study was therefore to provide an overview of clinical and radiological outcomes following treatment of OLTPs.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane library databases. The review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and included all original articles on treatment outcomes for OLTPs. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Baseline patient and lesion characteristics were pooled and weighted according to the number of lesions per study. The primary outcome was any clinical or patient-reported outcome measure pooled by treatment method when separable data were available. Secondary outcomes were complications, reoperation rates, radiological outcomes, and sport outcomes.

RESULTS

The search yielded 2,079 articles, of which 10 studies (1 prospective case series, 1 retrospective comparative study, and 8 retrospective case series) with a total of 175 patients were included. The overall methodological quality of the studies was low. All patients were treated surgically; 96% of the lesions were primary cases (i.e., first-time surgery) and 58% were solitary tibial lesions (i.e., no opposing talar lesion). Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation was the most frequently used treatment strategy (51%), followed by cartilage transplantation (17%), chondrogenesis-inducing techniques (11%), osteochondral transplantation (3%), retrograde drilling (3%), and mixed (i.e., inseparable) treatments (15%). The clinical outcomes of the different surgical therapies were considered to be moderate to good. The pooled postoperative AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society) score for bone marrow stimulation and osteochondral transplantation was 54.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.5 to 85.0) (n = 14) and 85.3 (95% CI, 56 to 100) (n = 3), respectively. Overall, complications and reoperations were rarely reported. The pooled complication and reoperation rates could only be calculated for bone marrow stimulation and were 5% and 7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical interventions for OLTPs appear to yield moderate to good clinical outcomes. Bone marrow stimulation resulted in a moderate AOFAS score. Complications and reintervention rates were found to be low. The current evidence in the literature is limited because of the underreporting of clinical, radiological, and sport data and the heterogenous outcome scores reported.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Long-term Outcomes of Microfracture for Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

Microfracture is the most common reparative surgery for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). While shown to be effective in short- to midterm outcomes, the fibrocartilage that microfracture produces is both biomechanically and biologically inferior to that of native hyaline cartilage and is susceptible to possible deterioration over time following repair. With orthobiologics being proposed to augment repair, there exists a clear gap in the study of long-term clinical outcomes of microfracture to determine if this added expense is necessary.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing microfracture of an OLT with a single fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon from 2007 to 2009 was performed. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were contacted to complete the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Sports subscales and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, as well as surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure and their likelihood to recommend the procedure to a friend with the same problem using 5-point Likert scales. Patient demographics were reviewed and included for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of 45 respondents, 3 patients required additional surgery on their ankle for the osteochondral defect, yielding a 10-year survival rate of 93.3%. Of surviving cases, 90.4% (38/42) reported being "extremely satisfied" or "satisfied" with the outcome of the procedure. The VAS score at follow-up averaged 14 out of 100 (range, 0-75), while the FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sports scores averaged 90.29 out of 100 and 82 out of 100, respectively. Thirty-six patients (85.7%) stated that their ankle did not prevent them from participating in the sports of their choice.

CONCLUSION

The current study represents a minimum 10-year follow-up of patients undergoing isolated arthroscopic microfracture for talar osteochondral defects, with a 93.3% survival rate and 85.7% return to sport. While biological adjuvants may play a role in improving the long-term outcomes of microfracture procedures, larger and longer-term follow-up studies are required for procedures using orthobiologics before their cost can be justified for routine use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective cohort case series study.

Editorial Commentary: Drill and Fill: Bone Marrow Stimulation Plus Allograft Matrix May Optimize the Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus remain a challenging pathologic entity facing orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Although multiple treatment options exist, there is limited evidence supporting one technique over another. The ultimate goal of surgical intervention is to achieve lesion infill with tissue properties that best mimic those of hyaline articular cartilage. Restoring the anatomic surface of the talus may provide long-term clinical success and improve function. Augmentation of bone marrow stimulation with extracellular matrix cartilage allograft aims to achieve this goal.

Clinical outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture for osteochondral lesions of the talus are better in patients with decreased postoperative subchondral bone marrow edema

PURPOSE

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of subchondral bone marrow edema (SBME) in osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) after arthroscopic microfracture are associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between SBME volume change and clinical outcomes has not been analyzed. It was hypothesized that clinical outcomes correlated with SBME volume change and extent of cartilage regeneration in patients with OLT.

METHODS

64 patients who underwent arthroscopic microfracture for OLT were followed up for more than 2 years. SBME volume change was measured by comparing preoperative and 2-year follow-up MRI. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the American orthopedic foot and ankle society ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS) at the 2-year and final follow-up. To compare clinical outcomes, patients were categorized into two groups: decreased SBME (DSBME) group (cases without SBME on either MRI or with a decreased SBME volume between the MRIs) and increased SBME (ISBME) group (cases with new SBME on postoperative MRI or with an increased SBME volume between the MRIs). Additionally, the effects of age, sex, body mass index, symptom duration, OLT size, OLT location, containment/uncontainment, preoperative subchondral cysts, pre- and postoperative SBME volumes, and MRI observation of cartilage repair tissue score on clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The DSBME group included 45 patients, whereas the ISBME group included 19. The mean age was 40.1 ± 17.2 years, and mean follow-up period was 35.7 ± 18.3 months. Preoperative SBME volume was significantly higher in the DSBME group, while the ISBME group had higher volumes at the final follow-up. In both groups, the VAS and AOFAS scores significantly improved at the final follow-up (p < 0.001, < 0.001). The VAS scores were significantly lower in the DSBME group at the 2-year and final follow-up (p = 0.004, 0.011), while the AOFAS scores were significantly higher (p = 0.019, 0.028). Other factors including cartilage regeneration did not affect clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

SBME volume change correlated with clinical outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture for OLT. Clinical outcomes were worse in patients with new postoperative SBME and increased postoperative SBME volume. In patients with an unsatisfactory clinical course that show decreased SBME via postoperative MRI, an extended follow-up in a conservative manner could be considered.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

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.

[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.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: An Individualized Treatment Paradigm from the Amsterdam Perspective

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are characterized by damage to the articular cartilage of the talus and its underlying subchondral bone. Up to 75% of OLTs are caused by trauma, such as an ankle sprain or fracture. Physical examination and imaging are crucial for diagnosis and characterization of an OLT. No superior treatment for OLTs exists. It is paramount that an evidence-based personalized treatment approach is applied to patients with OLTs because lesion and patient characteristics guide treatment. This current concepts review covers clinical and preclinical evidence on OLT etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, all based on the Amsterdam perspective.

Current management strategies for osteochondral lesions of the talus

The management of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) can be challenging. The number of ways of treating these lesions has increased considerably during the last decade, with published studies often providing conflicting, low-level evidence. This paper aims to present an up-to-date concise overview of the best evidence for the surgical treatment of OLTs. Management options are reviewed based on the size of the lesion and include bone marrow stimulation, bone grafting options, drilling techniques, biological preparations, and resurfacing. Although many of these techniques have shown promising results, there remains little high level evidence, and further large scale prospective studies and systematic reviews will be required to identify the optimal form of treatment for these lesions. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(2):207-212.

Satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes after bone marrow stimulation of osteochondral lesions of the talus

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (BMS) for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) at long-term follow-up.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted from the earliest record until March 2021 to identify studies published using the PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), and Cochrane Library databases. Clinical studies reporting on arthroscopic BMS for OLTs at a minimum of 8-year follow-up were included. The review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Two authors independently conducted the article selection and conducted the quality assessment using the Methodological index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS). The primary outcome was defined as clinical outcomes consisting of pain scores and patient-reported outcome measures. Secondary outcomes concerned the return to sport rate, reoperation rate, complication rate, and the rate of progression of degenerative changes within the tibiotalar joint as a measure of ankle osteoarthritis. Associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated based on the primary and secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Six studies with a total of 323 ankles (310 patients) were included at a mean pooled follow-up of 13.0 (9.5-13.9) years. The mean MINORS score of the included studies was 7.7 out of 16 points (range 6-9), indicating a low to moderate quality. The mean postoperative pooled American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 83.8 (95% CI 83.6-84.1). 78% (95% CI 69.5-86.8) participated in sports (at any level) at final follow-up. Return to preinjury level of sports was not reported. Reoperations were performed in 6.9% (95% CI 4.1-9.7) of ankles and complications related to the BMS procedure were observed in 2% (95% CI 0.4-3.0) of ankles. Progression of degenerative changes was observed in 28% (95% CI 22.3-33.2) of ankles.

CONCLUSION

Long-term clinical outcomes following arthroscopic BMS can be considered satisfactory even though one in three patients show progression of degenerative changes from a radiological perspective. These findings indicate that OLTs treated with BMS may be at risk of progressing towards end-stage ankle osteoarthritis over time in light of the incremental cartilage damage cascade. The findings of this study can aid clinicians and patients with the shared decision-making process when considering the long-term outcomes of BMS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Finite Element Analysis of the Effect of Talar Osteochondral Defects of Different Depths on Ankle Joint Stability

Background

Talus cartilage injury leads to changes in biomechanics of the ankle joint and ultimately affects ankle joint function, but which talus cartilage defects require surgery is still uncertain. This research used a finite element method to simulate the effect of different depth of talus cartilage defects on the stress and stability of the ankle joint in a certain area.

Material/Methods

A three-dimensional finite element model with different depths of osteochondral defects was created to simulate and calculate joint stress and displacement of the articular surface of the distal tibia and the proximal talus while the ankle joint was in the push-off, midstance, and heel-strike phases.

Results

The equivalent stress of the proximal talus did not change significantly at a defect depth of 1 mm, whereas the equivalent stress of the upper talus increased significantly at a defect depth of ≥3 mm or more, reaching a maximum value at a defect depth of 10 mm. The equivalent stress of the tibial cartilage and the equivalent stress and displacement in the corresponding forces in the midstance phase and heel-strike phase were significantly different from those in the normal group, but the difference in stress in each defect group was not obvious.

Conclusions

The effect of cartilage defects of the talus on biomechanics of the ankle is clear, especially in the midstance and push-off phases. When the defect reaches the subchondral bone (at a depth of 3 mm), the most obvious change in ankle joint stability occurs, and it does not increase linearly with the increase in depth of the defect.

Validation of 9-Grid Scheme for Localizing Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

A 9-grid scheme has been integrated into the foot and ankle literature to help clinicians and researchers localize osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). We hypothesized that fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons would have a high rate of intra/inter-observer reliability when localizing OLTs, therefore validating the scheme.

METHODS

We queried our institution's foot and ankle radiographic database for magnetic resonance images with OLTs. Each MRI was reviewed by the senior author, and 2 key images (widest OLT diameter) from each tangential view were copied and combined onto one slide. Fifty consecutive deidentified images of ankles were then sent to 4 practicing fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons. Each was asked to identify which zone the OLT was localized within. A radiologist's report served as the control. Statistical analyses were performed using Cohen and Fleiss kappa tests.

RESULTS

The reviewers demonstrated majority consensus on 45/50 images with substantial agreement for zones 4 and 6. The interobserver reliability was moderate with a κ = 0.55. The mean intraobserver reliability was substantial, with a κ = 0.79. A musculoskeletal radiologist determined there were 3 lesions in zone 7, 18 lesions in zone 4, and 29 lesions in zone 6.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to critically evaluate the 9-grid scheme and its reliability among orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons. Our study found that the 9-grid scheme is an accurate method of localization for OLTs with high intra- and moderate interobserver reliability between surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective diagnostic study.