Abstract
Introduction: Osteochondral lesions of the talus may cause persistent joint pain requiring surgical treatment, which today can be performed arthroscopically. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of these lesions.
Material and Method: Seventeen patients (7 males and 10 females) underwent ankle arthroscopy from 1998 through June 2002 for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Their age ranged from 11 – 68 years. The right talus was affected in 12 and the left in 5 patients. All but one had a history of previous trauma, for which they had been treated conservatively for at least 6 months.
Bone scanning, CT and MRI were performed for lesion staging according to Brent and Harty. One patient was stage I, 2 were stage II, 7 were stage III, and 7 were stage IV.
The patients underwent ankle arthroscopy without use of a distractor. Inspection of the joint was followed by shaving and debridement of the lesion with or without drilling.
Results: Follow-up had a mean duration of 15 months (range 8 – 24 months). Outcome was evaluated with the Ogilvie-Harris score for pain, swelling, stiffness, limp and patient activity level. All patients had excellent or good results. In all cases there was a reduction in lesion size.
Conclusions: Arthroscopy is effective for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. It causes less morbidity than open surgery and patients are able to follow an early mobilization and rehabilitation protocol. However, specialized surgical tools, as well as an in-depth knowledge of joint anatomy are required to avoid iatrogenic damage.
The abstracts were prepared by Eleni Koutsoukou. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HAOST), 20, A. Fleming str, 15123 Marousi, Athens, Greece.
