Purpose

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical, arthroscopic and radiological outcomes of autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation for massive cystic osteochondral defects of the talus.

Methods

Cases of autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation for medial massive cystic defects of the talus between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. The visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Ankle Activity Scale (AAS) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. The Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Tissue (MOCART) system and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score were evaluated after surgery. The ability to return to daily activity and sport, as well as complications, were recorded.

Results

Twenty-one patients were available for follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 60.1 ± 11.7 months. All subscales of preoperative FAOS had significant (P < 0.001) improvement at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS and VAS scores significantly (P < 0.001) improved from 52.4 ± 12.4 preoperatively to 90.9 ± 5.2 at the last follow-up and from 7.9 ± 0.8 to 1.5 ± 0.9, respectively. The mean AAS decreased from 6.0 ± 1.4 preinjury to 1.4 ± 0.9 postinjury and then increased to 4.6 ± 1.4 at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). All 21 patients resumed daily activities after a mean of 3.1 ± 1.0 months. Fifteen patients (71.4%) returned to sports after a mean of 12.9 ± 4.1 months. All patients underwent follow-up MRI with a mean MOCART score of 68.6 ± 5.9. Eleven patients underwent second-look arthroscopy, and the average ICRS was 9.4 ± 0.8. No donor site morbidity was found in any patient during the follow-up.

Conclusion

Autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation provided favourable clinical, arthroscopic and radiographic outcomes in patients with massive cystic osteochondral defects of the talus during a minimum 3-year follow-up.

Level of evidence

IV.