Abstract
Patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus have traditionally been difficult to treat. Autologous chondrocyte implantion (ACI) may provide predictable repair through restoring an articular surface. We reviewed our results of Ankle ACI in eight ACI plus two ACI and mosaicplasty combined with an average age of 40 years (32 to 62) performed over four years.
The patients were assessed with a modified Mazur ankle score, patient satisfaction score and Lysholm knee score, pre- and post-operatively. Ankle arthroscopic assessment was performed in patients at 12 months post surgery. The average time to follow up was 24 months (range two to 52). The osteochondral lesions were post traumatic in seven cases, with seven lesions situated medially and three anterolaterally. The average size of the talar defects at surgery was 2.25cm (range 1 to 4 cm.)
Patient satisfaction scores in eight patients were either “extremely pleased” or “pleased” with the operation which was sustained in the patients at up to four years follow up. The Mazur scores increased by 23 points at mean 24 months follow up. Six patients with over 12 months follow up maintained a markedly improved ankle score. Patients were noted to rehabilitate twice as quickly as patients receiving ACI to the knee.
The Lysholm knee scores returned to the preoperative level in four patients, with the remaining six patients showing a reduced score (mean 12 points), suggesting there may be some donor site morbidity. Five had ankle arthroscopy at one year and were shown to have filled defects and stable cartilage. A biopsy taken from the graft site showed hyaline like cartilage and fibrocartilage to be present These early results suggest that ankle ACI is an appropriate treatment for large symptomatic osteochondral lesions in the talus.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr J. L. Barrie. Correspondence should be addressed to Mr J. L. Barrie, BOFSS Editor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 3LR.
