The Result of Autologous Osteochondral Grafting for the Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus

Ahn, Young Joon; Hahn, Sung Ho; Yang, Bo Kyu; Yi, Seung Rim; Yoo, Jae Ho; Chung, Shun Wook; Bin, Sung Woo; Zoo, Min Hong; Kim, Seong Wan

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the results of the autologous osteochondral grafting for the osteochondral lesion of the talus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 21 patient who had been treated with the open autologous osteochondral grafting between December, 1999 and December 2003. We treated the patients with autologous osteochondral grafting method who had the lesion of stage II or medial lesion of stage III without improvement for at least 6 months, the medial lesion of stage IV, the lateral lesion of stage III, IV by Berndt and Harty's classification or who had not improved with previous operation. The average duration of follow up was 26 (12-56) months. 6 patients had been treated with the previous operation that 3 patients with drilling, 3 patients excision, curettage and drilling.
RESULTS
The average AOFAS Ankle/Hindfoot score was 92.7 points and no patient had a limitation of the daily activities due to pain or abnormal function. Postoperative radiography showed good joint congruency and postoperative MRI good incorporation of the graft. The average Lysholm knee score was 96 points and only two patients had mild knee pain during severe exertion.
CONCLUSION
The autologous osteochondral grafting is the useful operative method when the lesion is advanced stage or when previous operative treatment has failed.