Autologous osteochondral transplantation provides succesful recovery in patients with simultaneous medial and lateral talus osteochondral lesions

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of simultaneous medial and lateral autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) in patients with both medial and lateral osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) who could not be treated with bone marrow stimulation techniques or whose previous treatments failed.
Methods: Five patients who underwent medial and lateral talus AOT in the same session due to simultaneous OLT on medial and lateral talar dome were included in this retrospective study. All the patients were male, and the mean age was 34.8 (range = 26 – 42) years. Double osteochondral grafts were placed separately to the medial and lateral talar dome at the same session. Location and size of the OLT, additional ligament injuries, and postoperative evaluation of the graft were evaluated through magnetic resonance images (MRIs). The criteria of Berndt and Harty, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Tegner Activity Score were assessed preoperatively and at the last follow-up.
Results: All patients had suffered an injury with inversion of the foot while daily or sports activity. Average duration of symptoms from onset to osteochondral grafting was 25.2 months. The mean follow-up time was 61 months. The radiological evaluation showed OLT with Stage 4 or 5, anterior talofibular ligament injury and deltoid ligament strain observed in all of the patients. With the numbers available, pre and post-operative comparisons showed a significant increase in patients’ satisfaction rate and significant decrease in VAS scores as well as an increase in AOFAS scores with the numbers available. No complications were encountered.
Conclusion: Simultaneous AOT for medial and lateral OLT appears to be a reliable surgical procedure with satisfactory clinical results.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic Study
Cite this article as: Örs Ç, Sarpel Y. Autologous osteochondral transplantation provides succesful recovery in patients with simultaneous medial and lateral talus osteochondral lesions. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2021; 55(6): 535–540.