Abstract
Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the talus are a challenging and increasingly recognized problem in chronic ankle pain. Many novel techniques exist to attempt to treat this challenging entity. Difficulties associated with treating OCLs include lesion location, size, chronicity and problems associated with potential graft harvest sites. Matrix associated stem cell transplantation (MAST) is one such treatment described for larger lesions >15mm2 or failed alternative therapies. This cohort study describes a 5 year review of the outcomes of talar lesions treated with MAST. A review of all patients treated with MAST by a single surgeon was conducted. Pre-operative radiographs, MRIs and FAOS outcome questionnaire scores were conducted. Intraoperative classification was conducted to correlate with imaging. Post-operative outcomes included FAOS scores, return to sport, revision surgery/failure of treatment and progression to arthritis/fusion surgery. 32 patients were identified in this cohort. There were 10 females, 22 males, with an average age of 35. 01. 73% had returned and continued playing active sport. 23 patients underwent MAST in the setting of a failed previous operative attempt, with just 9 having MAST as a first option. 9 patients out of 32 had a further procedure. Two patients had a further treatment directed at their OCL. Two patients had a fusion, 2 had a cheilectomy at > 4 years for impingement, one had a debridement of their anterolateral gutter, one had debridement for arthrofibrosis, one patient had a re alignment calcaneal osteotomy with debridement of their posterior tibial tendon. MAST has demonstrated positive results in lesions which prove challenging to treat, even in a “failed microfracture” cohort.
