Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talar dome

Nine osteochondral lesions of the talar dome were treated arthroscopically. Two patients (a 16-year-old boy) had two recent osteochondral fractures, anterior and superior lateral, with a free fragment detached in the joint. The lesions were treated with simple ablation of the loose body. Seven old lesions were found in four men and three women, aged 18-32 years, with an osteocartilaginous, partially loose body with necrosis of the underlying bone. The lesion was posterior medial in these seven cases. Technically, arthroscopy is usually performed using an anterior approach. However, it is sometimes necessary to place the foot in the talipes equinus position to achieve articular distraction for diagnosis and treatment of posterior lesions. Treatment consisted of removal of the loose body, with curettage of the necrotic bone. The nine patients were clinically and radiologically reviewed with a follow-up period of 10-24 months. For the two osteochondral fractures, clinical results following the removal of free loose bodies in the joint were spectacular, with complete pain relief and osseous rehabilitation almost radiologically complete after 2 years. In the seven patients with an old necrotic lesion, the result was very good or good in six cases, and poor in one case. Radiologically, osseous rehabilitation occurred progressively, but remained incomplete at 2 years. This technique provides multiple advantages: minimal morbidity, 48-h hospitalization, and rapid functional recuperation without immobilization. Our results confirm the recent data in the literature (1-4).