Objective: To explore clinical efficacy of platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in treating osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT) with typeⅡa.
Methods: From January 2022 to June 2022, 45 patients with typeⅡa OLT were treated with PRP arthroscopic injection combined with ESWT, including 29 males and 16 females; aged from 18 to 63 years old with an average of(37.7±10.3) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 6 to 20 with an average of (13.3±4.8) months. American Foot and Ankle Association ankle and foot (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), cartilage injury volume and bone marrow edema volume were evaluated for ankle joint function and osteochondral recovery of talus before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment.
Results: All patients were followed for at least 6 months. No related complications occurred in all patients. AOFAS score were increased from(68.3±3.6) before treatment to (83.7±3.2) and (90.8±2.2) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively (P<0.05). VAS decreased from (5.2±1.2) before treatment to (3.2±0.8) and (1.9±1.2) at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The injury volume of cartilage and subchondral bone decreased from (71.0±42.5) mm3 before treatment to (50.6±31.5) mm3 and (36.5±27.3) mm3 at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The bone marrow edema volume decreased from (1 182.7±675.1) mm3 before treatment to (656.1±455.1) mm3 and (382.1±485.6) mm3 at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusion: PRP intraarticular injection combined with ESWT for the treatment of typeⅡa OLT could alleviate clinical symptoms, effectively improve joint function, and promote cartilage repair and bone marrow edema absorption.
Keywords: Bone marrow edema; Megnetic resonance imaging; Osteochondral injury; Talus.