Objective: To summarize and analyze the diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT).
Methods: From 2000 to 2005 the data of 34 patients of OLT of the talus were retrospectively studied, including the symptom, physical examination, image, arthroscopic treatment All patients took X-ray and MRI examination before the arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic debridement was performed for all patients, in addition to drilling in 5 cases, and microfracture in 18 cases. Before operation, ankle-hindfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 71 +/- 8, and the score of pain (visual analogue scale, VAS) was 7.5 +/- 1.3.
Results: Weight-bearing pain of the ankle joint aggravated after exercise was the predominant complaint of OLT. X-ray examination was negative in 13 cases, and all lesions were detected by MRI, which was significantly better than X-ray (chi2 = 16.07, P < 0. 001). Thirty-one patients were followed up for an average of 28 months. The average post-operative AOFAS was 91 +/- 9 (t = 9.147, P < 0.001); And VAS was 2.4 +/- 2. 3, which was significantly lower than that in pre-operation (t = 10.853, P < 0.001). Of the 31 patients, 27 (87.1%) had good or excellent results.
Conclusions: MRI could improve the accuracy of diagnosis. The results of arthroscopic treatment for OLT are satisfactory.