title: Clinical and MRI Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in Skeletally Immature Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The literature on the osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) in skeletally immature children is scarce and little is known about the clinical outcomes and the radiologic appearance of these lesions after surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess mid-term clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture (AM) of OLT in skeletally immature children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients with OLT treated by AM before skeletal maturity were included in the study. The Berndt and Harty outcome question, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation question, and the Martin questionnaire were used to obtain patients' subjective satisfaction with their operated ankle. Functional outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. MRI scans were performed postoperatively using a magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring system for 11 ankles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 15 years (range, 13 to 16 y) and the median follow-up period was 5.6 years (range, 3.8 to 13.6 y). According to the Berndt and Harty outcome question, good clinical results were reported in 10 (76.9%) and fair in 3 (23.1%) patients. The postoperative AOFAS score was significantly improved when compared with the preoperative AOFAS score, with a mean increase of 35 points (P<0.001). The overall MOCART score was 65 (range, 10 to 75). MRI variables of the MOCART scoring system showed no association with clinical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AM seems to be an effective surgical method for the treatment of OLT in skeletally immature children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV-therapeutic studies, case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb.
authors.forename: Andrija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jurina
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb.
authors.forename: Damjan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimnjaković
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Matej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mustapić
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb.|Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smoljanović
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb.|Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bojanić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome