Tibial wedge osteotomy for osteochondral transplantation in talar lesions

Between 1999 and 2002, 16 patients with osteochondral lesions on the central and posterior talar dome underwent osteochondral autografting. A new approach with temporary removal and replacement of a tibial bone block from the anterior tibial plafond was adopted. Inclusion criteria were joint stability, an age between 18 and 50 years, and osteochondral lesions stages 3 and 4 according to the radiological classification of Loomer, for which previous arthroscopic treatment was not successful. All patients underwent clinical and MRI evaluation after 12, 35 and 59 months. The AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot score improved significantly between the preoperative period and 1 year (p < 0.001), between 1 and 3 years (p < 0.001), but not between 3 and 5 years postoperative (p = 0.37). The score was independent from patients gender (p = 0.44) and age. The Spearman coefficient of correlation between clinical outcome and defect size was - 0.79 (p = 0.01), indicating that patients with small lesions had the best results. Control radiographs and MRIs showed no reduced joint space and good integration of the tibial bone block without incongruency. Osteochondral grafting with temporary removal of a tibial bone block is a successful technique with good midterm results in osteochondral talar lesions for which arthroscopic excision, curettage and drilling has failed.