Autologous chondrocyte transplantation for the treatment of massive cartilage lesion of the distal tibia: a case report with 8-year follow-up

Osteochondral Lesions of the Distal Tibial Plafond: A Systematic Review of Lesion Locations and Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTPs) remain less common than osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs), but recognition of the condition has increased.

PURPOSE

To systematically evaluate the literature on lesion locations and treatment outcomes of OLTPs, whether in isolation or in combination with OLTs.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies on lesion locations or with imaging or treatment outcomes of OLTPs. Case reports and reports based on expert opinion were excluded. Lesion locations as well as outcome measure results were aggregated. The Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies score was used to assess methodological quality when applicable.

RESULTS

Included in this review were 10 articles, all published in 2000 or later. Most studies were evidence level 4, and the mean Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies score was 8.6 (range, 8-10). Overall, 174 confirmed OLTP cases were identified, and the mean patient age was 38.8 years. Of the 157 lesions with confirmed locations, the most common was central-medial (32/157; 20.4%). Of 6 studies on treatment outcomes, all but 1 evaluated bone marrow stimulation techniques. Microfracture of small lesions (<150 mm2) was the most common treatment utilized. Imaging and functional outcomes appeared favorable after treatment. The data did not support differences in outcomes between isolated OLTPs and OLTPs with coexisting OLTs.

CONCLUSION

Osteochondral lesions of the distal tibia most commonly occurred at the central-medial tibial plafond. Microfracture of small lesions was the most common treatment utilized, and clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results were favorable, although data were heterogeneous. Areas for future research include the following: the effect of patient factors and additional pathologies on outcomes; larger or deeper lesion treatment; more direct comparisons of outcomes between kissing or coexisting lesions and isolated lesions; and head-to-head comparison of treatments, such as microfracture, bone marrow-derived cell transplantation, and osteochondral autografts/allografts.

Reconstruction of a large osteochondral lesion of the distal tibia with an iliac crest graft and autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC): a case report

Isolated osteochondral lesions (OCL) of the distal tibia are rare and lack clear treatment guidelines. With the case we present here, we suggest a novel surgical approach and report the successful use of autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis-aided reconstruction for OCL of the distal tibia. A 29-year-old male patient complained about persisting pain of the left ankle joint and a restricted activity level 12 months after an ankle sprain. Imaging revealed edema of the subchondral bone and thinning of the cartilage above the osseous defect at the lateral distal tibia. The OCL was debrided followed by microfracturing of the underlying sclerotic bone. A cancellous bone plug was harvested from the iliac crest and impacted into the defect. A collagen matrix was then fixed on the defect. After 12 months, the patient was free of pain and returned to full activity. Conventional radiographs at 1 year showed successful osseous integration of the plug and a nearly anatomic shape of the tibial joint line. Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage scans at 36 months showed an intact cartilage layer over the defect and glycosaminoglycan content, indicating hyaline-like cartilage repair. This case demonstrates autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis-aided reconstruction of large osteochondral lesions of distal tibia to be a promising treatment method. Our aim was to describe the case of a patient with a large isolated osteochondral lesion of the distal tibia treated by a novel operative technique using cancellous bone from the iliac crest and a collagen I/III matrix.