Outcomes Following Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in Female Patients

CATEGORY: Ankle; Arthroscopy; Sports INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Microfracture (Mfx) is typically indicated for patients who have symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) which are smaller in size. However, there is scant literature focusing exclusively on female patients, who may require specific consideration as compared to male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of Mfx in the treatment of OLT in the females population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis comparing patients treated with Mfx for OLT was performed, to include all patients treated between 2007 and 2015. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) and Short-Form 12 (SF-12). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at final follow-up was evaluated with the modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score. RESULTS: Thirty-one females were included. The mean patient age was 39.6 +- 17.2 years with mean follow-up of 48.4 +- 24.8 months. The mean preoperative and postoperative FAOS score was 53.3 +- 22.9 and 73.2 +- 18.2 (p < 0.001), and the mean preoperative and postoperative SF-12 score was 40.6 +- 11.1 and 56 +- 15.1 (p < 0.001). The final MOCART score was 59.3 +-24.5. Overall, 6 (19.4%) patients required a further surgery, 4 patients (12.9%) were considered failures, 2 (6.5%) patients required a distraction arthroplasty and 2 patients (6.5%) required a repeat bone marrow stimulation. CONCLUSION: The outcomes following Mfx for OLT in females were good at mid term follow up. However, the final MOCART scores were poor, indicating poor cartilage repair tissue and a poor harbinger for long term outcomes.