Long-term results of osteochondral autograft transplantation of the talus with a novel groove malleolar osteotomy technique
Berkin Toker1, Tunay Erden1, Sarper Çetinkaya1, Göksel Dikmen2, Vahit Emre Özden2, Ömer Taşer1
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Sports Medicine Center, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: Malleolar osteotomy, mosaicplasty, osteochondral autograft transfer, osteochondral lesion, talus.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the long-term results of osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) of talar lesions performed using a modified osteotomy technique.
Patients and methods: This retrospective study included 20 consecutive patients (11 males, 9 females; mean age 33.5±11 years; range, 15 to 56 years) (21 ankles) with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) treated with the OAT system between August 2002 and October 2008. We performed a modified sulcus groove osteotomy, which provides better exposure of medial and central lesions. After a minimum duration of 10 years following surgery, patients’ clinical functions were evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle- hindfoot scale and visual analog scale (VAS). The Tegner-Lysholm scoring system was used to determine the levels of knee activity.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 143.5 (range, 120 to 186) months. The mean AOFAS scores significantly improved from 60.4±7.4 (range, 48 to 70) preoperatively to 86.2±9.23 (range, 60 to 94) at the last follow-up (p≤0.05). The mean ankle VAS score significantly decreased from 6.3±0.4 (range, 5 to 7) preoperatively to 2.0±1.4 (range, 0 to 4). The mean Tegner-Lysholm score for this group was 89.7±11.7 (range, 68 to 100). Revision surgery was performed in only two patients because of impingement and arthritis. Recurrent knee pain at the donor site of the osteochondral autograft was observed in three patients (14%).
Conclusion: In the present study, good to excellent results were obtained in the treatment of OLT with OAT for a minimum follow-up duration of 10 years. This novel technique can also simplify the steep learning curve, which is challenging for surgeons.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.