The role of demineralized allograft subchondral bone in the treatment of talar cystic OCD lesions that have failed microfracture.
Cystic talar shoulder defects are particularly challenging osteochondral lesions. A retrospective chart review was performed on 13 adults that previously failed microfracture, presented with medial cystic osteochondral lesions of the talus, and were treated with malleolar osteotomy and subchondral allograft reconstruction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a medial malleolar osteotomy and allograft subchondral bone plug on pain and function. We hypothesized that following surgery, pain and function would significantly improve. Compared with preoperative measures, pain (first step in the morning, during walking, at the end of the day) and function (descending the stairs, ascending the stairs, and ambulating up to 4 blocks) improved postoperatively at 6 and 12 months (P ≤ .001). During each activity, pain improved postoperatively from 6 to 12 months (P ≤ .006). Postoperatively, from 6 to 12 months, the level of disability improved while descending the stairs (P = .004), and the level of disability experienced while ascending the stairs and ambulating up to 4 blocks was maintained (P ≥ .02). Multiple regression analyses identified body mass index as a predictor of preoperative function (R(2) = .34, P = .04). No variables were identified as significant predictors of postoperative pain or function. With all osteotomies healing, no graft rejection, and a single deep venous thrombosis, allograft subchondral plugs appear to successfully treat osteochondral lesions of the talus with improvements in pain and function as well as an acceptable complication rate.


METHODS
Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective Case Series.
Coordinated Health, Bethlehem, PA (SAB, NMP, MMG)CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ (STB) drsbrigido@mac.com.
Stephen A
SA
Brigido
Coordinated Health, Bethlehem, PA (SAB, NMP, MMG)CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ (STB).
Nicole M
NM
Protzman
Coordinated Health, Bethlehem, PA (SAB, NMP, MMG)CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ (STB).
Melissa M
MM
Galli
Coordinated Health, Bethlehem, PA (SAB, NMP, MMG)CORE Institute, Phoenix, AZ (STB).
Scott T
ST
Bleazey
D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013628:Talus; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018786:Bone Substitutes
ankle injuries/surgery; articular surface injuries; bone substitutes; bone transplantation/methods; cartilage