Arthroscopic Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus,AHMAD KHOLEIF, KAMAL S. ABDEL MEGUID and NASEF M. NASEF
Abstract
Objective: Arthroscopic management of osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the talus reduces morbidity associated with open surgical correction. This study presents a case series of arthroscopic management of OCDs of the talus for assessment of the outcome and factors affecting it.
Subjects and Methods: A series of 21 patients with subacute or chronic OCDs of the talus who received arthroscopic are presented; 2 patients were lost to follow up, leaving 19 patients with 19 ankles for evaluation. Duration of follow-up ranged between 12 and 28 months with a median of 18 months. Lesions were classified according to the radiographic staging of Brendt and Hartey. The primary outcome measure was success of surgery as assessed by Ogilvie-Harris score system. The secondary outcome measure was the presence of post-operative complications.
Results: According to Ogilvie-Harris score, excellent or good outcome was achieved in 14 ankles (73.7%). Outcome was unsatisfactory (fair or poor) in 5 ankles (26.3%). Outcome was not related to age at operation or duration of the lesion. According to Brendt and Hartey stages, cases of stage III or IV 41.7% resulted in unsatisfactory outcome, while all stage II cases resulted in excellent or good outcome (p=0.106).
Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus is a safe and effective procedure with reasonable degree of success.