Radiographic evaluation of frontal talar edge configuration for osteochondral plug transplantation

For successful reconstruction of osteochondral lesions of the talus, the anatomic configuration of the talar edge must be respected. This study evaluated the radiographic configuration of the talar edge in the anterior-posterior (AP) view by analyzing medial and lateral talar edge angles and radii in 81 patients with a true AP view and without ankle pathology. The mean lateral talar edge angle was 91.8 degrees , and the mean medial talar edge angle was 110.0 degrees . The medial frontal talar edge radius was 4.8 mm and the lateral 3.5 mm, respectively. No correlation between angle and radius was found. These results revealed a significant difference between the medial and the lateral talar edge configuration. This may be due to the three-dimensional function of the human ankle joint. No study so far has addressed these differences radiologically. These differences should be addressed in the reconstruction of osteochondral lesions and be included in the preoperative planning.