[Association between Hindfoot Alignment and Localisation of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus]

Osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the talus show a distinct distribution pattern. Vascular, metabolic, idiopathic, and biomechanical factors have been proposed as influencing factors. However, the association of hindfoot alignment and the location of talar OCL is not known.

In 22 patients undergoing autologous osteochondral transplantation for OCL of the talus we collected preoperative data on radiographic hindfoot alignment and clinical performance using the AOFAS score and the VAS for pain. The inter-observer reliability between two investigators was calculated. The association between hindfoot alignment and OCL location was statistically assessed.

The preoperative AOFAS score was 64.1 ± 13.9 points and the VAS 5.1 ± 1.4. The mean measurement difference between the two observers was less than 0.5 degrees and the reliability of the measurements was good with a high association (κ = 0.83). Surprisingly, the location of the OCL of the talus was independent from hindfoot alignment (p = 0.766).

In our study the hindfoot alignment showed no association with the location of OCL of the talus. Hence, hindfoot alignment per se does not correlate with the localisation of talar OCL.