Outcomes of talar osteochondral and transchondral lesions using an evidence-based algorithmic approach based on size, location and subchondral plate integrity: a 10-year study on 204 lesions

OBJECTIVES: Treatments outcomes for articular lesions of the talus are variable based on size. MRI has been used to assess size and location, and base treatment. We prospectively analyzed talar lesions and the outcomes of surgical procedures based on lesion size, which are typically measured two-dimensionally, intact cartilage/subchondral plate and activity level. We propose following a treatment algorithm will yield favorable results and outcomes. METHODS: Over a ten-year period, transchondral and osteochondral lesions of the talus were measured tri-dimensionally on pre-operative MRI, location noted based on a nine-region grid pattern of the talar dome, and patients’ activity level documented. Procedures were performed based on lesion size, integrity of cartilage and lesion location. They were assessed with pre- and post-operative AOFAS scores, post-operative Roles Maudsley score and time to return to activity. Lesions below 125 mm³ were treated with microfracture or retrograde drilling, lesions less than 1500 mm³ were treated with autogenous bone graft, and larger lesions were treated with fresh allograft. RESULTS: 204 talar lesions were analyzed. The following surgeries were performed: arthroscopy with microfracture or retrograde drilling (with or without bone graft) N =159, arthrotomy (with or without osteotomy) with autogenous bone graft N = 60, and fresh allograft with osteotomy N =7. The average follow-up post-index surgery was 82.53± 34.62 (range 24-132) months for the entire cohort. The average time to return to activity was 7.93 ± 5.00 (range 2-36) months. The average pre-AOFAS score was 76.44 ± 10.98 (range 52-86) and average post-AOFAS score was 96.12 ± 3.46 (range 81-100), P=.0001. Post-surgery RM score was 1.28 ± 0.49 (range 1-3). There were no differences in outcomes based on lesion size. CONCLUSION: Similar outcomes were able to be achieved regardless of talar lesion size using the treatment algorithm.Clinicians should consider using three-dimensional measurements when determining the best treatment approach to talar lesions.Microfracture, while successful for certain talar lesions, may not have a role for larger lesions. Other techniques such as retrograde drilling, autogenous bone grafting and allograft can yield good results, along with microfracture when used appropriately based on lesion size.