Osteochondral lesions of the talus: are we ready for metal?

Personalized Resurfacing for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are the most common cause of chronic deep ankle pain. Joint-preserving surgeries include bone marrow stimulating, chondral transporting, and cellular-based procedures. Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. For that reason, a focal metallic inlay was developed as a bridge between biologics and conventional joint arthroplasty. Despite promising initial results, prefabricated implants are associated with unpredictable results. This article describes a novel customized patient-specific metal inlay as a treatment option for OLTs.

Lesion depth and marrow stimulation results

AIM

The aim of this study was to study the importance Osteochondral lesion (OCL) depth as a singular factor for treatment outcomes using marrow stimulation. We hypothesized that the clinical outcomes of marrow stimulation would be inferior for lesions with depths of more than 5 mm compared to those less than 5 mm.

MATERIALS & METHODS

An interventional prospective cohort study was conducted on 55 ankles in 55 patients who had been diagnosed with full-thickness osteochondral lesions of the talus; stage II, III, IV according to Anderson staging system based on magnetic resonance imaging; depth of 10 mm or less; and area of 150 mm² or less measured by preoperative computed tomography. According to lesion depth, patients were divided into two groups: group (A) ≤ 5 mm, and group (B) ˃ 5 mm. The mean follow-up period for both groups was 30 months (range, 22-40).

RESULTS

For groups A and B the average preoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) were 43.1 ± 8.8 (range, 25-52) and 46 ± 8.5 (range, 32-60), respectively, and improved to 90 ± 4.3 (range, 80-96) (P = 0.001) and 75 ± 6.4 (range, 65-88) (P = 0.001) at the final follow-up. The average time to full weight bearing was 12 weeks (range, 10-16) in group A and 16 weeks (range, 12-20) in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Although treatment of OCLs is still undergoing changes and there are many prognostic factors that affect outcomes during marrow stimulation treatment, depth of OCL was shown to be an independent factor affecting outcomes. OCLs of less than 5 mm in depth were more likely to have superior clinical outcomes compared to OCLs of more than 5 mm.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The depth of OCL talus is an important factor as it affects the outcome of arthroscopic marrow stimulation inversely.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I.

Functional Outcomes of Autologous Matrix-Related Chondrogenesis to Treat Large Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) treatment is widely debated when the lesion size exceeds 150 mm². The aim of this study was to assess functional outcome and satisfaction rates of the autologous matrix-related chondrogenesis (AMIC) technique and compare the outcomes for OLTs larger than 150 mm² that were classified as primary, primary with local tumor-related OLT, or revision cases.

METHODS

A total of 77 patients who were operated by AMIC were included. The average age of the population was 39.6 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.2. Smoker rate was 28.5% of the population. Forty-two patients were primary cases, 14 patients had primary with local tumor-related OLT, and 18 patients were revision cases. Overall and subgroup functional outcomes were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) scores. Satisfaction rates were queried, and failures were recorded.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 32 months, the score improvement for primary, primary with local tumor-related, and revision group were for VAS, 5.4 ± 0.4, 5.6 ± 0.7, and 3.6 ± 0.8, and for FADI, 46.5 ± 3.8, 45.3 ±6.5, and 26.6 ± 6.7, respectively (P < .001). Intergroup comparison showed greater improvement for the primary OLT group when compared to the revision group (P < .001). The failure rates for the primary, primary with local tumor-related, and revision group were 4.8%, 11.8%, and 38.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

AMIC procedure provides good functional outcome and satisfactory rates in patients with primary and primary with local tumor-related OLT larger than 150 mm², but in revision cases, the AMIC success rate was not encouraging as all had advanced OLT operative interventions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic retrospective study.

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.

Treatment of Unicompartmental Cartilage Defects of the Knee with Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty, Patellofemoral Partial Knee Arthroplasty or Focal Resurfacing

Focal chondral defects are common lesions of the articular cartilage. They are predominantly found on the medial femoral condyle and often progress to osteoarthritis of the knee. Various conservative treatment options are available. The conservative treatment might reduce pain and delay the progress of degenerative processes. However, restoration of the articular cartilage cannot be accomplished. If the conservative treatment fails unicompartmental arthroplasty, patellofemoral joint replacement or focal resurfacing are reasonable options to postpone total knee arthroplasty. A careful patient selection before surgery is crucial for all three treatment options. The following overview reports indications and outcomes of medial partial knee replacement, patellofemoral partial knee replacement, and focal resurfacing treatment options for focal chondral defects.

[Mini implants in foot and ankle surgery: an alternative to total joint replacement or joint fusion]

Mini implants are increasingly used in foot and ankle surgery. They preserve the joints' functions, are easy to insert and easy to convert to an alternative treatment. Early surgical attempts using silastic implants did not bring the expected success. First achievements where reached with modern metallic mini implants in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and the ankle joint. For a few years now, a polyvinyl alcohol implant has been used to treat the arthritic first MTP joint. Even severe arthritic joints can be treated with an implant made of polylactide. This implant can also be used in the treatment of Lisfranc joint pathologies. To address severe osteochondral defects of the talus, an innovative hemiarthroplasty implant has been suggested. This article gives a summary of currently used mini implants. Their application as possible alternatives to total joint replacement or joint fusion are critically reviewed in the light of the current literature.

Role of Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OCLT) is defined as a defect on the articular surface of the talus with/without subchondral bone involvement. Several surgical techniques are described in literature to treat OCLT. Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation (PJCAT) is a new emerging technique that has the potential of restoring the native cartilage. However, available data on PJCAT in treating OCLT is confined to a small number of studies with heterogeneous population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature on clinical and radiological outcomes of PJCAT in treating OCLT.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline database was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Number of patients and demographic data included age, gender and body mass index (BMI) were extracted. The level of evidence of each included study was identified. When feasible, mechanism of injury, lesion size and average follow up were recorded. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were obtained to assess the functional outcomes. Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was selected to evaluate the radiological outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies were eligible for this review involving 132 patients. Postoperative AOFAS scores were available for 44 patients who underwent PJCAT with an average of 86.14 at 25.5 months follow up. FAOS scores have been reported in 3 studies for 81 patients. The average preoperative score was 47.35 which has been improved to 62.88 at follow up of 23.6 months. MOCART was evaluated in 42 feet after the mean follow up of 18.2 months. The repair tissue was characterized by variable features; however, certain peculiarities were observed with higher frequency including infill hypertrophy, incomplete border zone integration, deep surface disruption, structure inhomogeneity, patches of hyperintense signals, damage of subchondral lamina and subchondral bone, adhesions and absence of effusion.

CONCLUSION

PJCAT seems to be a promising modality of treatment for OLT in terms of functional outcomes. Fair attempts of defect filling can be confirmed with MRI. Nevertheless, heterogeneous picture of regenerate cartilaginous tissue and lack of repair in subchondral bone and subchondral lamina are not in favor with claims of full restoration of lost normal hyaline articular cartilage.

Plantar forces mid-term after hemiarthroplasty with HemiCAP for hallux rigidus

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the biomechanical gait effects and range of motion following a proximal hemiarthroplasty with a HemiCap®.

METHODS

Forty-one HemiCAP-operated participants with a mean follow-up time of 5 years had plantar force variables (PFVs) examined and compared with their non-operated foot and a control group. PFVs were compared to the MTPJ1 range of motion (ROM), and pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

RESULTS

The HemiCAP participants' operated feet had higher PFVs laterally on the foot and lower PFVs under the hallux. Dorsal ROM of the operated feet was a median 45° (range 10-75) by goniometer and 41.5 (range 16-80) by X-ray. An increase in ROM decreased the forces under the hallux. Most participants were pain-free. No correlation between pain and PFVs was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased dorsiflexion decreased the maximum force under the hallux. A mid-term HemiCAP maintains some motion. The decreased PFVs under the hallux may reflect a patient reluctance to load the first ray, although no correlation between plantar forces and pain was found.