Long Term Follow up Results of the Arthroscopic Treatment of the Talus Osteochondral Lesions (Tol) and the Factors that Effect Results

OBJECTIVES: The arthroscopic debritment, curettage and multidrilling /microfracture is well known and established method of treatment. However the factors that effect prognosis is still controversy at recent literature. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate the factors that effects the long term follow up results of our patients. METHODS: 56 patients who admitted to our clinic with chronic ankle pain and diagnosed as TOL treated with arthroscopic debritement, curettage and multidrilling /microfracture between the period of 2005-2010 were evaluated. Arthroscopy performed through the standart portals with knee arthroscopy instruments. The instruments that used for multİdrilling and microfracture were custom maded. The clinical results were evaluated in retrospective manner with face to face and telephone interview.The AOFAS questionary and satisfaction question (subjective ) were asked on patients. RESULTS: The female / male ratio was 29/27. The mean age was 40.5 (Min. 17- Max.70), the mean follow period was 5.9 year. (Min. 4 year – Max. 8 year).The distrubition of stages on our group were , seven patients were stage I , five patients were stage II , twenty one patients were stage III , eight patients were stage IV , fifteen patient were stage V. The lateral location exists on 7 patients, the medial location exists on 49 patients. 40 patients had middle lesion and other 9 patients had posterior lesions. The clinical results were: the mean preoperative AOFAS score was 46.1 (Min. 34- Max.. 65), the mean post operative AOFAS score was 90.8 (Min. 41- Max. 100). The unsatisfactory results were taken from 2 patients. The moderate satisfaction results were taken from 5 patients . The most frequent trauma mechanism were ankle sprain . The duration of symptoms before admitting to our clinic was maximum 10 years and the minimum 2 months. The mean value was 22.7 months. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of other pathologies were local synovitis, pes cavus and pes planovalgus, degenerative arthritis (mild) , bone marrow edema, posterior talar process fracture and hallux valgus respectively. Duration of period before admitting to our clinic and being classified as higher stages detected as most important factors that negatively effects the results. The unsatisfied patients (2 patients ) had also coexisting with loose bodies and pes cavus at the same time. In Stage 5 group the postoperative AOFAS increase an average of 41, while in patients with lower than stage 5 the mean increase was 48. The older age was not significant negative factor on results. Our long term results of arthroscopic debridement, curettage and multidrilling /microfracture were succcesfull at the rate of %88; while the unsuccesfull at 2 (%3) patients (unsatisfied and post- operative AOFAS score was 41 and 56), 5 patients (%9) had moderate satisfaction (pain with long standing and disability in long distance walking and AOFAS scores were between 72-80 ).