Retrograde drilling of osteochondral lesions of the medial talar dome

Sixteen patients (16 ankles) with symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the medial talar dome were treated arthroscopically with percutaneous retrograde drilling through the sinus tarsi. The surgical technique allows preservation of intact articular cartilage, in contrast to traditional methods. All patients treated with this technique during a 24-month period were included in the study. Patient age ranged from 16 to 44 years (mean, 33 years). Follow-up ranged from 19 to 38 months (mean, 24 months). A staging system based on magnetic resonance imaging examination was used to grade the lesions preoperatively. Outcome was evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. Preoperative scores ranged from 35 to 75 points, with a mean of 53.9 points. Postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores ranged from 48 to 100 points, with a mean of 82.6 points. Mean improvement was 25 points. There were no surgical complications. Short-term results were comparable to results reported with other available techniques.