title: A study to evaluate the safety of platelet-derived growth factor for treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An arthroscopic procedure for the treatment of osteochondral defects using platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) carried out in a matrix of tricalcium phosphate was developed. This prospective, case-series-based study was designed to evaluate the safety and clinical utility of this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with an isolated osteochondral defect larger than 5 mm long, 3 mm wide, and 5 mm deep and smaller than 30 mm long, 25 mm wide, or 20 mm deep were considered for enrolment. Only patients with chronic lesions were enroled. Arthroscopic debridement was followed by the placement of recombinant human PDGF in a matrix of tricalcium phosphate. The Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and SF-36 questionnaires were administered at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans were taken before and after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients were ultimately enroled in this proof-of-concept trial. All outcome measures demonstrated marked improvement from baseline to final follow-up: The mean weight bearing VAS pain score improved by 49%, and the mean AOS functional score improved by 28%. Bone healing was seen on CT, and reduction in oedema signal was seen on MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new procedure may offer a promising alternative for the treatment of osteochondral defects. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these results and to analyse the long-term effects of the procedure. The clinical relevance of this study is that the procedure may provide a less invasive option with improved bone healing compared to standard techniques .
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors: Department of Orthopedics, University of British Columbia, 560 - 1144 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A5, Canada. asyounger@shaw.ca.
authors: Alastair
authors: A
authors: Younger
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 1000 - 1200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C7, Canada.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Wing
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, 1000 - 1200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C7, Canada.
authors: Murray
authors: M
authors: Penner
authors: Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Cresswell
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
keywords: Arthroscopic debridement; Bone regeneration; OCD; Osteochondral defect; Osteochondritis dissecans; PDGF; Platelet-derived growth factor