Comparison of Juvenile Allogenous Articular Cartilage and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Versus Microfracture With and Without Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Arthroscopic Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Lesions

Particulated juvenile cartilage allograft for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus is associated with a high complication rate and a high failure rate at short-term follow-up: A systematic review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes together with the complication rates and failure rates at short-term follow-up following particulated juvenile cartilage allograft (PJCA) for the management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

METHODS

During October 2023, the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases were systematically reviewed to identify clinical studies examining outcomes following PJCA for the management of OLTs. Data regarding study characteristics, patient demographics, lesion characteristics, subjective clinical outcomes, radiological outcomes, complications and failures were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included. In total, 241 patients underwent PJCA for the treatment of OLT at a weighted mean follow-up of 29.0 ± 24.9 months. The weighted mean lesion size was 138.3 ± 59.6 mm2 . Prior surgical intervention was recorded in seven studies, the most common of which was microfracture (65.9%). The weighted mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from a preoperative score of 58.5 ± 3.2 to a postoperative score of 83.9 ± 5.3. The weighted mean postoperative magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was 48.2 ± 3.3. The complication rate was 25.2%, the most common of which was allograft hypertrophy (13.2%). Thirty failures (12.4%) were observed at a weighted mean time of 9.8 ± 9.6 months following the index procedure.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrated a moderate improvement in subjective clinical outcomes following PJCA for the treatment of OLT at short term follow-up. However, postoperative MOCART scores were reported as poor. In addition, a high complication rate (25.2%) and a high failure rate (12.4%) at short-term follow-up was observed, calling into question the efficacy of PJCA for the treatment of large OLTs. In light of the available evidence, PJCA for the treatment of large OLTs cannot be currently recommended.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Open Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With Bone Grafting and Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allografting

BACKGROUND

Large cystic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) are challenging pathological conditions to treat, but particulated juvenile cartilage allografts (PJCAs) supplemented with bone grafts are a promising therapeutic option. The purpose of this project was to further elucidate the role of PJCA with concomitant bone autografts for treating large cystic OLTs with extensive subchondral bone involvement (greater than 150 mm2 in area and/or deeper than 5 mm).

METHODS

We identified 6 patients with a mean OLT area of 307.2 ± 252.4 mm2 and a mean lesion depth of 10.85 ± 6.10 mm who underwent DeNovo PJCA with bone autografting between 2013 and 2017. Postoperative outcomes were assessed with radiographs, Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS), and visual pain scale scores.

RESULTS

At final follow-up (27.0 ± 12.59 weeks), all patients had symptomatic improvement and incorporation of the graft on radiographs. At an average of 62 ± 20.88 months postoperatively, no patients required a revision surgery. All patients contacted by phone in 2018 and 2020 reported they would do the procedure again in retrospect and reported an improvement in their symptoms relative to their preoperative state, especially with pain and in the FAOS activities of daily living subsection (91.93 ± 9.04 in 2018, 74.63 ± 26.86 in 2020).

CONCLUSION

PJCA with concomitant bone autograft is a viable treatment option for patients with large cystic OLTs.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes After Human Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implantation for Chondral Defects of the Knee

Background

There is a paucity of literature reporting clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UCB-MSC) implantation for chondral defects of the knee.

Purpose

To report clinical and MRI outcomes after UCB-MSC implantation for chondral lesions of the knee.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were patients aged between 40 and 70 years with focal chondral lesions of grade 3 or 4 on the medial femoral condyle, defect sizes >4 cm², and intact ligaments. Exclusion criteria were patients who required realignment osteotomy or who had a meniscal deficiency, ligamentous instability, or a concomitant full-thickness chondral defect in the lateral or patellofemoral compartment. A mixture of human UCB-MSCs and sodium hyaluronate was implanted into the chondral defect through mini-arthrotomy. MRI at 1-year follow-up was performed to evaluate repaired cartilage hypertrophy. Repaired cartilage thickness was measured, and hypertrophy was classified as grade 1 (<125%), grade 2 (<150%), or grade 3 (<200%). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs; International Knee Documentation Committee, visual analog scale for pain, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively. Repaired cartilage hypertrophy was evaluated for a correlation with PRO scores.

Results

Enrolled were 85 patients with a mean age of 56.8 ± 6.1 years and a mean chondral defect size of 6.7 ± 2.0 cm². At follow-up, a significant improvement in all PRO scores was seen compared with preoperatively (P < .001 for all). MRI at 1-year follow-up demonstrated that 28 patients had grade 1 repaired cartilage hypertrophy, 41 patients had grade 2, and 16 patients had grade 3. MRI performed in 11 patients at 2 years after surgery indicated no difference in repaired cartilage hypertrophy between the 1- and 2-year time points. The grade of repaired cartilage hypertrophy did not correlate with PRO scores.

Conclusion

Clinical outcomes improved significantly at short-term follow-up after UCB-MSC implantation. Although all patients showed repaired cartilage hypertrophy, it did not correlate with clinical outcomes.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Improves Outcomes in Adults With Osteochondral Dissecans of the Talus and Achilles Rupture

PURPOSE

The objective of this systematic literature review was to investigate the effects of the clinical application of bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and/or bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in tendon and cartilage injuries in the foot and ankle.

METHODS

A search of the Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was performed in January 2021. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the tool "A Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies." The outcomes analyzed included pain reduction and functional improvement with the use of BMA/BMAC in patients with tendon and cartilage injuries in the foot and ankle.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis, involving a total of 527 subjects with osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the talus, cartilage lesions of the talus, and acute Achilles tendon rupture. BMAC was applied alone in 4 studies, and in 7 studies, it was compared with other techniques such as matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation, particulate juvenile articular cartilage, or microfracture. Interventions demonstrated improved function and reduced foot and ankle pain and showed no serious adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence indicates that BMAC provides good clinical results, with improved function and reduced pain in adults with OCL and cartilage lesions of the talus and acute Achilles tendon rupture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of level II to IV studies.

Prospective Randomized Trial of Biologic Augmentation With Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND

Although initial studies have demonstrated that concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) injections promote rotator cuff repair (RCR) healing, there are no randomized prospective studies investigating clinical efficacy.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

To compare outcomes after arthroscopic RCR (aRCR) with and without cBMA augmentation. It was hypothesized that cBMA augmentation would result in statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes and rotator cuff structural integrity.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

METHODS

Patients indicated for aRCR of isolated 1- to 3-cm supraspinatus tendon tears were randomized to receive adjunctive cBMA injection or sham incision. Bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest, concentrated using a commercially available system, and injected at the aRCR site after repair. Patients were assessed preoperatively and serially until 2 years postoperatively via the following functional indices: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Simple Shoulder Test, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 1 year to assess rotator cuff structural integrity according to Sugaya classification. Treatment failure was defined as decreased 1- or 2-year ASES or SANE scores as compared with preoperative baseline, the need for revision RCR, or conversion to total shoulder arthroplasty.

RESULTS

An overall 91 patients were enrolled (control, n = 45; cBMA, n = 46): 82 (90%) completed 2-year clinical follow-up and 75 (82%) completed 1-year MRI. Functional indices significantly improved in both groups by 6 months and were sustained at 1 and 2 years (all P < .05). The control group showed significantly greater evidence of rotator cuff retear according to Sugaya classification on 1-year MRI (57% vs 18%; P < .001). Treatment failed for 7 patients in each group (control, 16%; cBMA, 15%).

CONCLUSION

cBMA-augmented aRCR of isolated supraspinatus tendon tears may result in a structurally superior repair but largely fails to significantly improve treatment failure rates and patient-reported clinical outcomes when compared with aRCR alone. Additional study is warranted to investigate the long-term benefits of improved repair quality on clinical outcomes and repair failure rates.

REGISTRATION

NCT02484950 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Limited evidence of adjuvant biologics with bone marrow stimulation for the treatment of osteochondral lesion of the talus: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the complication rates, continuous functional outcome scores, and return to play data following bone marrow stimulation (BMS) versus biologics ± BMS for the treatment of osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched using specific search terms and eligibility criteria according to the PRISMA guidelines. The level of evidence was assessed using published criteria by The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, and the quality of evidence using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as frequencies (percentages).

RESULTS

BMS versus BMS + hyaluronic acid (HA): no complications in either treatment arm were reported. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 43.5 to 67.3 points and 44.0 to 72.4 points, respectively. The mean 10 mm Visual Analogue Scale pain score was 7.7 to 3.8 points and 7.5 to 2.5 points, respectively. BMS versus BMS + concentrated bone marrow aspirate (CBMA): the pooled overall complication rate was 17/64 (26.6%) versus 11/71 (15.5%), respectively (non-significant). The pool revision rate was 15/64 (23.4%) versus 6/71 (8.5%), respectively (p = 0.016). There has been a notable poor reporting of complication rates for the use of ADSC and PRP as adjuvant biological therapies to BMS for the treatment of OLT.

CONCLUSION

There was an overall limited comparative clinical evidence of adjuvant biologics with BMS versus BMS alone for the treatment of OLT. BMS + HA and BMS + CBMA can provide superior outcomes, albeit the currently limited evidence. Further studies are warranted to establish the true clinical superiority of the various biologics ± BMS versus BMS alone. These studies must also compare the various biologics against one another to determine, if any, the optimal biologic for OLT. Clinicians should counsel patients accordingly on these findings as required.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Allograft Versus Autograft Osteochondral Transplant for Chondral Defects of the Talus: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether the results of osteochondral transplant using autografts or allografts for talar osteochondral defect are equivalent.

PURPOSE

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to compare allografts and autografts in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), MRI findings, and complications.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in February 2021. All studies investigating the outcomes of allograft and/or autograft osteochondral transplant as management for osteochondral defects of the talus were accessed. The outcomes of interest were visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score. Data concerning the rates of failure and revision surgery were also collected. Continuous data were analyzed using the mean difference (MD), whereas binary data were evaluated with the odds ratio (OR) effect measure.

RESULTS

Data from 40 studies (1174 procedures) with a mean follow-up of 46.5 ± 25 months were retrieved. There was comparability concerning the length of follow-up, male to female ratio, mean age, body mass index, defect size, VAS score, and AOFAS score (P > .1) between the groups at baseline. At the last follow-up, the MOCART (MD, 10.5; P = .04) and AOFAS (MD, 4.8; P = .04) scores were better in the autograft group. The VAS score was similar between the 2 groups (P = .4). At the last follow-up, autografts demonstrated lower rate of revision surgery (OR, 7.2; P < .0001) and failure (OR, 5.1; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Based on the main findings of the present systematic review, talar osteochondral transplant using allografts was associated with higher rates of failure and revision compared with autografts at midterm follow-up.

A prospective, single-center study following operative treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus

BACKGROUND

(1) To evaluate patient-reported outcomes and revision surgeries after various operative interventions for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) in a prospective single center series over 10 years, and (2) to identify predicting factors related to subjective ankle status and quality of life pre- and postoperatively.

METHODS

Ninety-nine patients underwent operative treatment due to primary or recurrent OLT, with an average follow up 3.5 (1.8) years. Treatment outcome was followed clinically (FAOS, EQ-5D, Tegner activity scale) and by pursuing any serious adverse events or graft failures.

RESULTS

There were 80 responding patients (81%) for the study. The mean lesion size was 2.0 (1.1) cm². All FAOS values increased from preoperative to final follow-up values (Symptoms 60-68, Pain 58-69, ADL 71-80, Sport 36-54, QoL 30-45). EQ-5D increased from 0.49 to 0.62, while Tegner activity scale change from 3.2 to 3.4. There were 19 (24%) serious adverse events recorded; 13 (16%) of them were graft-related. Graft survival rates were 100% at 1 year, 94% (males)/93% (females) at 2 years, and 77% (males)/47% (females) at 5 years. Female gender, higher BMI, and higher Kellgren-Lawrence ankle OA score were negative predictors for preoperative patient-reported ankle joint status. The foremost improvement after operative intervention was observed in patients with large osteochondral lesions without postoperative adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Various operative interventions for OLT significantly improved patients' ankle status and quality of life. High graft survival rates were demonstrated over first two years, but notable decline was confirmed thereafter, especially in female patients.

Microfracture versus Enhanced Microfracture Techniques in Knee Cartilage Restoration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the microfracture (MFx) and microfracture augmented (MFx + ) techniques for the treatment of cartilage defects of the knee. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from 1 January, 1950 to 1 May, 2019. RevMan5.3 was used to perform statistical analysis. Relative risk was calculated for binary variables, and weighted mean difference and standardized mean difference (SMD) were measured for continuous variables. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of each variable was assessed. Thirteen trials with 635 patients were included. There was a significant difference in the Lysholm's score (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.01-0.50, p = 0.04) and magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score (SMD = 14.01, 95% CI: 8.01-20.02, p < 0.01) between the MFx and MFx+ groups. There was no significant difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score (SMD =  - 12.40, 95% CI: -27.50 to 32.71, p = 0.11), International Knee Documentation Committee score (SMD = 8.67, 95% CI: -0.92 to 18.27, p = 0.08), visual analog scale score (SMD =  - 0.20, 95% CI: -2.45 to 0.96, p = 0.57), Tegner's score (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: -0.67 to 1.18, p = 0.59), modified Cincinnati's score (SMD =  - 4.58, 95% CI: -14.31 to 5.14, p = 0.36) and modified International Cartilage Repair Society pain score (SMD = 0.09, 95% CI: -0.37 to 0.55, p = 0.70) between the groups. Results of the pooled analyses of the MFx+ and MFx groups suggested that the MFx+ technique is slightly superior to the MFx technique for the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee. Further research is required and future studies should include assessments of the outcomes at long-term follow-ups. Trial registration number is PROSPERO CRD42019135803.

Management of Treatment Failures in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are a common result of traumatic ankle injury. Due to the low success rates of nonoperative management, surgical management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) has evolved considerably over the past decade as more outcomes research has emerged, new techniques have been described, and we have developed a better understanding of the role of biologics in the treatment algorithm. We describe, in sequence, the surgical management options, including salvage procedures, for failed treatment of OLTs.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle Treated with Bone Marrow Concentrate with Hyaluronan and Fibrin: A Single-Centre Study

Osteochondral defects of the ankle (OCD) are being increasingly identified as a clinically significant consequence of injury to the ankle, with the potential to lead to osteoarthritis if left untreated. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate a single-stage treatment of OCD, based on bone marrow aspirate (BMA) centrifuged to produce bone marrow concentrate (BMC). In a dual syringe, the concentrate was mixed with thrombin in one syringe, whereas hyaluronan and fibrinogen were mixed in a second syringe. The two mixtures were then injected and combined into the prepared defect. Clinical outcome and quality of life scores (MOXFQ and EQ-5D) were collected at baseline and yearly thereafter. Multilevel models were used to analyse the pattern of scores over time. Ninety-four patients were treated between 2015 and 2020. The means of each of the three components of the MOXFQ significantly improved between baseline and 1 year (p < 0.001 for each component), with no further change from year 1 to year 3. The EQ-5D index also improved significantly from baseline to 1 year, with no evidence for further change. Our results strongly indicate that this BMC treatment is safe for, and well tolerated by, patients with OCD of the ankle as both primary treatment and those who have failed primary treatment. This technique provides a safe, efficacious alternative to currently employed cartilage repair techniques, with favourable outcomes and a low complication rate at 36 months.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Review on Talus Osteochondral Injuries, Including Osteochondritis Dissecans

This is a review on talus osteochondritis dissecans and talus osteochondral lesions. A majority of the osteochondral lesions are associated with trauma while the cause of pure osteochondritis dissecans is still much discussed with a possible cause being repetitive microtraumas associated with vascular disturbances causing subchondral bone necrosis and disability. Symptomatic nondisplaced osteochondral lesions can often be treated conservatively in children and adolescents while such treatment is less successful in adults. Surgical treatment is indicated when there is an unstable cartilage fragment. There are a large number of different operative technique options with no number one technique to be recommended. Most techniques have been presented in level II to IV studies with a low number of patients with short follow ups and few randomized comparisons exist. The actual situation in treating osteochondral lesions in the ankle is presented and discussed.

Augmented Microfracture Technique Versus Microfracture in Talar Cartilage Restoration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety between the microfracture (MFx) and augmented microfracture (MFx+) techniques for articular cartilage defects of the talus (OLTs). PubMed and EMBASE were searched from January 1950 to October 2020. Only randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled trials, and observational studies (retrospective and prospective) applying MFx and MFx+ techniques to treat talar cartilage defects were selected. Ten trials with 492 patients were included. There was significant difference in final American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score (AOFAS) (mean difference [MD] = 7.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.70-10.44; p < .01), AOFAS change (MD = 7.97; 95% CI, 4.27-11.66; p < .01), visual analog scale (VAS) change score (MD = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29-0.59; p < .01), Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score (MD = 12.51; 95% CI, 7.16-17.86; p < .01), complication (RR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16-0.69; p < .01), and revision (Relative risk = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.77; p < .05), between the MFx and MFx+ groups. No significant difference was observed for final VAS pain score (MD = -0.53; 95% CI, -1.2 to 1.05; p = .13) and Tegner scale (MD = 0.31; 95% CI, -1.05 to 1.66; p = .66) in either group. Our results suggest that augmented microfracture is superior to microfracture alone in the treatment of talar OLTs based on the AOFAS, MOCART, VAS score, complication rate, and revision ratio. Therefore, microfracture with augmentation should be considered as a treatment for OLTs of talus. However, more randomized trials are still required to determine the long-term superiority of MFx+.

Reliability of the MOCART score: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The present systematic review analysed the available literature to assess reliability of the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score in the evaluation of knee and ankle osteochondral lesions.

METHODS

All the studies using the MOCART score for knee and/or talus chondral defects were accessed in March 2021. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess associations between the MOCART score at last follow-up and data of patients at baseline, clinical scores and complications. A multiple linear model regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

The MOCART score evidenced no association with patient age (P = 0.6), sex (P = 0.1), body mass index (P = 0.06), defect size (P = 0.9), prior length of symptoms (P = 0.9) or visual analogue scale (P = 0.07). For chondral defects of the knee, no statistically significant association was found between the MOCART score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (P = 0.9) and with the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scales (P = 0.2), Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.2), visual analogue scale P = 0.07), rate of failure (P = 0.2) and revision (P = 0.9). For chondral defect of the talus, no statistically significant associations were found between the MOCART score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (P = 0.3), Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.4), visual analogue scale (P = 0.1), rate of failure (P = 0.1) and revision (P = 0.7).

CONCLUSION

The MOCART score demonstrated no association with patient characteristics and with the surgical outcome in patients who underwent surgical management for knee and talus chondral defects.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Use of Extracellular Matrix Cartilage Allograft May Improve Infill of the Defects in Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of extracellular matrix cartilage allograft (EMCA) as an adjuvant to bone marrow stimulation (BMS) compared with BMS alone in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study comparing patients treated with BMS with EMCA (BMS-EMCA group) and BMS alone (BMS group) between 2013 and 2019 was undertaken. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated using the modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue score. Comparisons between groups were made with the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and the Fisher exact test for categorical variables.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients underwent BMS with EMCA (BMS-EMCA group), and 24 patients underwent BMS alone (BMS group). The mean age was 40.8 years (range, 19-60 years) in the BMS-EMCA group and 47.8 years (range, 24-60 years) in the BMS group (P = .060). The mean follow-up time was 20.0 months (range, 12-36 months) in the BMS-EMCA group and 26.9 months (range, 12-55 months) in the BMS group (P = .031). Both groups showed significant improvements in all FAOS subscales. No significant differences between groups were found in all postoperative FAOS values. The mean Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue score in the BMS-EMCA group was higher (76.3 vs 66.3) but not statistically significant (P = .176). The MRI analysis showed that 87.5% of the BMS-EMCA patients had complete infill of the defect with repair tissue; however, fewer than half of the BMS patients (46.5%) had complete infill (P = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

BMS with EMCA is an effective treatment strategy for osteochondral lesions of the talus and provides better cartilage infill in the defect on MRI. However, this did not translate to improved functional outcomes compared with BMS alone in the short term. Additionally, according to analysis of the minimal clinically important difference, there was no significant difference in clinical function scoring between the 2 groups postoperatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Long-term Outcomes of Microfracture for Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

Microfracture is the most common reparative surgery for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). While shown to be effective in short- to midterm outcomes, the fibrocartilage that microfracture produces is both biomechanically and biologically inferior to that of native hyaline cartilage and is susceptible to possible deterioration over time following repair. With orthobiologics being proposed to augment repair, there exists a clear gap in the study of long-term clinical outcomes of microfracture to determine if this added expense is necessary.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing microfracture of an OLT with a single fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon from 2007 to 2009 was performed. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were contacted to complete the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Sports subscales and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, as well as surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the outcome of the procedure and their likelihood to recommend the procedure to a friend with the same problem using 5-point Likert scales. Patient demographics were reviewed and included for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of 45 respondents, 3 patients required additional surgery on their ankle for the osteochondral defect, yielding a 10-year survival rate of 93.3%. Of surviving cases, 90.4% (38/42) reported being "extremely satisfied" or "satisfied" with the outcome of the procedure. The VAS score at follow-up averaged 14 out of 100 (range, 0-75), while the FAAM-ADL and FAAM-Sports scores averaged 90.29 out of 100 and 82 out of 100, respectively. Thirty-six patients (85.7%) stated that their ankle did not prevent them from participating in the sports of their choice.

CONCLUSION

The current study represents a minimum 10-year follow-up of patients undergoing isolated arthroscopic microfracture for talar osteochondral defects, with a 93.3% survival rate and 85.7% return to sport. While biological adjuvants may play a role in improving the long-term outcomes of microfracture procedures, larger and longer-term follow-up studies are required for procedures using orthobiologics before their cost can be justified for routine use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective cohort case series study.

The management of talar osteochondral lesions - Current concepts

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are a common complication following trauma, involving both the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone, with variable aetiologies and often presenting with non-specific symptoms. Diagnosis of OLTs requires a combination of clinical assessment and imaging and despite many different treatment options, there is no generalised consensus regarding which option is the most effective. Left untreated, OLTs risk progressing to osteoarthritis. Acute non-displaced OLTs can be treated non-operatively. However, OLTs refractory to non-surgical care for three to six months may be suitable for surgical care. In these cases, conservative treatments are often unsuccessful, particularly for larger and more severe defects and so the majority require surgical intervention. Although bone marrow stimulation techniques remain the "gold standard" for lesions <150 mm2, there still requires a need for better long term clinical data and cost-benefit analyses compared with other treatment options. Biological attempts at either regenerating or replacing the articular cartilage are however demonstrating some promising results, but each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this review, we summarise the clinical management of OLTs and present the current concepts of different treatment regimes.

Emerging Biological Treatment Methods for Ankle Joint and Soft Tissue Conditions: Clinical Applications as Alternative or Adjuvant

In the past 2 decades, there has been a rapid expansion of clinical studies investigating the safety and efficacy of biological treatment methods for a wide range of diseases. These biological treatment methods increasingly are used in clinical practice based on limited available evidence. This article provides an overview of evidence on biological treatment methods for foot and ankle pathologies, including ankle osteoarthritis, osteochondral lesions of the talus, and Achilles tendinopathy.

Studies of Articular Cartilage Repair from 2009 to 2018: A Bibliometric Analysis of Articles

Objective

To perform a bibliometric analysis of research on articular cartilage repair published in Chinese and English over the past decade. Fundamental and clinical research topics of high interest were further comparatively analyzed.

Methods

Relevant studies published from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018 (10 years) were retrieved from the Wanfang database (Chinese articles) and six databases, including MEDLINE, WOS, INSPEC, SCIELO, KJD, and RSCI on the website “Web of Science” (English articles), using key words: “articular cartilage” AND “injury” AND “repair”. The articles were categorized according to research focuses for a comparative analysis between those published in Chinese vs English, and further grouped according to publication date (before and after 2014). A comparative analysis was performed on research focus to characterize the variation in research trends between two 5‐year time spans. Moreover, articles were classified as basic and clinical research studies.

Results

Overall, 5762 articles were retrieved, including 2748 in domestic Chinese journals and 3014 in international English journals. A total of 4937 articles focused on the top 10 research topics, with the top 3 being stem cells (32.1%), tissue‐engineered scaffold (22.8%), and molecular mechanisms (16.4%). Differences between the numbers of Chinese and English papers were observed for 3 topics: chondrocyte implantation (104 vs 316), osteochondral allograft (27 vs 86), and microfracture (127 vs 293). The following topics gained more research interest in the second 5‐year time span compared with the first: microfracture, osteochondral allograft, osteochondral autograft, stem cells, and tissue‐engineered scaffold. Articles with a focus on three‐dimensional‐printing technology have shown the fastest increase in publication numbers. Among 5613 research articles, basic research studies accounted for the majority (4429), with clinical studies described in only 1184 articles. The top 7 research topics of clinical studies were: chondrocyte implantation (28.7%), stem cells (21.9%), microfracture (19.2%), tissue scaffold (10.6%), osteochondral autograft (10.5%), osteochondral allograft (6.3%), and periosteal transplantation (2.8%).

Conclusion

Studies focused on stem cells and tissue‐engineered scaffolds led the field of damaged articular cartilage repair. International researchers studied allograft‐related implantation approaches more often than Chinese researchers. Traditional surgical techniques, such as microfracture and osteochondral transplantation, gained high research interest over the past decade.

Particulated Autologous Chondral-Platelet-Rich Plasma Matrix Implantation (PACI) for Treatment of Full-Thickness Cartilage Osteochondral Defects

Articular hyaline cartilage injuries can occur as a result of either traumatic of progressive degeneration. When the articular cartilage in a joint is damaged, it can cause joint pain and dysfunction, predisposing patients for the development of early-onset osteoarthritis. There are many restoration procedures available to treat these injuries, such as bone marrow-stimulation techniques, osteoarticular auto/allograft transplants, and autologous chondrocyte implantation. Each of these techniques has its own limitations, which led researchers to explore new regenerative and repair techniques to produce normal hyaline cartilage. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe in detail the particulated autologous chondral-platelet-rich plasma matrix implantation (PACI) technique that could be used as a single-stage cartilage restoration procedure for treatment of full-thickness cartilage and osteochondral defects.

Role of Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation in Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OCLT) is defined as a defect on the articular surface of the talus with/without subchondral bone involvement. Several surgical techniques are described in literature to treat OCLT. Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation (PJCAT) is a new emerging technique that has the potential of restoring the native cartilage. However, available data on PJCAT in treating OCLT is confined to a small number of studies with heterogeneous population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature on clinical and radiological outcomes of PJCAT in treating OCLT.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline database was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Number of patients and demographic data included age, gender and body mass index (BMI) were extracted. The level of evidence of each included study was identified. When feasible, mechanism of injury, lesion size and average follow up were recorded. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were obtained to assess the functional outcomes. Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score was selected to evaluate the radiological outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies were eligible for this review involving 132 patients. Postoperative AOFAS scores were available for 44 patients who underwent PJCAT with an average of 86.14 at 25.5 months follow up. FAOS scores have been reported in 3 studies for 81 patients. The average preoperative score was 47.35 which has been improved to 62.88 at follow up of 23.6 months. MOCART was evaluated in 42 feet after the mean follow up of 18.2 months. The repair tissue was characterized by variable features; however, certain peculiarities were observed with higher frequency including infill hypertrophy, incomplete border zone integration, deep surface disruption, structure inhomogeneity, patches of hyperintense signals, damage of subchondral lamina and subchondral bone, adhesions and absence of effusion.

CONCLUSION

PJCAT seems to be a promising modality of treatment for OLT in terms of functional outcomes. Fair attempts of defect filling can be confirmed with MRI. Nevertheless, heterogeneous picture of regenerate cartilaginous tissue and lack of repair in subchondral bone and subchondral lamina are not in favor with claims of full restoration of lost normal hyaline articular cartilage.

Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes of Microfracture Plus Chitosan/Blood Implant vs Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes of arthroscopic microfracture (MF) plus chitosan-glycerol phosphate/blood implant and MF alone for the treatment of the osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs).

METHODS

Patients who underwent either MF plus chitosan (group 1, n = 32) or MF alone (group 2, n = 31) between 2015 and 2019 in 2 separate time periods were retrospectively analyzed. Visual analog scale (VAS) score and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were used for clinical evaluation. The magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) system was used for MRI evaluation. The mean follow-up time was 32 ± 13 months (range, 12-61 months).

RESULTS

Postoperatively, we detected significant improvements in both groups in terms of VAS and AOFAS scores. However, we observed no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of clinical scores, except the mean VAS function score, which was significantly higher in group 1 (P = .022). According to MOCART scale, complete repair with the filling of the chondral defect and intactness of the surface of the repair tissue were more common in group 1. However, these parameters did not significantly differ between groups (P = .257 and .242, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic MF plus chitosan glycerol phosphate/blood implant did not result in better clinical and MRI outcomes compared with MF alone in the treatment of OCLTs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Particulated juvenile articular cartilage allograft transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the knee and ankle

Introduction: Osteochondral lesions have been challenging to treat due to the limited regenerative capacity of native hyaline cartilage. Although surgical options are available, a newer technique, Particulated Juvenile Cartilage Allograft Transplantation (PJCAT) has shown promise for lesions of the knee and ankle. Short-term studies have been encouraging of its use, but there is still limited evidence of its long-term durability.Areas covered: This review will summarize the surgical options currently available for osteochondral lesions, outline the indications and contraindications of PJCAT, present the basic science and clinical evidence of the procedure, and describe the surgical approaches of this technique.Expert opinion: PJCAT is a promising method to treat osteochondral lesions. However, continued research is needed to document the efficacy of this technique and potential superiority over other techniques. Benefits include ease of application, potential for arthroscopic or minimally invasive delivery, no need for perpendicular access, no donor site morbidity, and delivery of viable chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage.

PRP and BMAC for Musculoskeletal Conditions via Biomaterial Carriers

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are orthobiologic therapies considered as an alternative to the current therapies for muscle, bone and cartilage. Different formulations of biomaterials have been used as carriers for PRP and BMAC in order to increase regenerative processes. The most common biomaterials utilized in conjunction with PRP and BMAC clinical trials are organic scaffolds and natural or synthetic polymers. This review will cover the combinatorial strategies of biomaterial carriers with PRP and BMAC for musculoskeletal conditions (MsCs) repair and regeneration in clinical trials. The main objective is to review the therapeutic use of PRP and BMAC as a treatment option for muscle, bone and cartilage injuries.

[Research progress in surgical procedures for osteochondral lesions of talus]

Objective

To summarize the research progress of surgical procedures in osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

Methods

By consulting the related literature of OLT in recent years, the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical treatment schemes were analyzed and summarized.

Results

There are many surgical treatments for OLT, including bone marrow stimulation, osteochondral transplantation, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, and biologically assisted therapy. Various schemes have different indications and limitations. With the continuous development of various technologies, the effectiveness of OLT treatment will gradually improve.

Conclusion

There are still many difficulties and controversies in the treatment of OLT, and there is no unified treatment plan. It is suggested that individualized operation plan should be formulated according to the specific conditions of patients.

Return to Sports After Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Defects of the Talus: A Systematic Review of 2347 Cases

BACKGROUND

Osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the talus are found subsequent to ankle sprains and ankle fractures. With many surgical treatment strategies available, there is no clear evidence on return-to-sport (RTS) times and rates.

PURPOSE

To summarize RTS times and rates for talar OCDs treated by different surgical techniques.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

The literature from January 1996 to November 2018 was screened, and identified studies were divided into 7 different surgical treatment groups. The RTS rate, with and without associated levels of activity, and the mean time to RTS were calculated per study. When methodologically possible, a simplified pooling method was used to combine studies within 1 treatment group. Study bias was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) scoring system.

RESULTS

A total of 61 studies including 2347 talar OCDs were included. The methodological quality of the studies was poor. There were 10 retrospective case series (RCSs) that investigated bone marrow stimulation in 339 patients, with a pooled mean rate of RTS at any level of 88% (95% CI, 84%-91%); 2 RCSs investigating internal fixation in 47 patients found a pooled RTS rate of 97% (95% CI, 85%-99%), 5 RCSs in which autograft transplantation was performed in 194 patients found a pooled RTS rate of 90% (95% CI, 86%-94%), and 3 prospective case series on autologous chondrocyte implantation in 39 patients found a pooled RTS rate of 87% (95% CI, 73%-94%). The rate of return to preinjury level of sports was 79% (95% CI, 70%-85%) for 120 patients after bone marrow stimulation, 72% (95% CI, 60%-83%) for 67 patients after autograft transplantation, and 69% (95% CI, 54%-81%) for 39 patients after autologous chondrocyte implantation. The mean time to RTS ranged from 13 to 26 weeks, although no pooling was possible for this outcome measure.

CONCLUSION

Different surgical treatment options for talar OCDs allow for adequate RTS times and rates. RTS rates decreased when considering patients' return to preinjury levels versus return at any level.

Orthobiologics

Use of orthobiologics in sports medicine and musculoskeletal surgery has gained significant interest. However, many of the commercially available and advertised products are lacking in clinical evidence. Widespread use of products before fully understanding their true indications may result in unknown adverse outcomes and may also lead to increased health care costs. As more products become available, it is important to remain judicial in use and to practice evidence-based medicine. Likewise, it is important to continue advances in research in hopes to improve surgical outcomes. This article reviews clinical evidence behind common orthobiologics in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology.

Beyond Cartilage Repair: The Role of the Osteochondral Unit in Joint Health and Disease

Once believed to be limited to articular cartilage, osteoarthritis is now considered to be an organ disease of the “whole joint.” Damage to the articular surface can lead to, be caused by, or occur in parallel with, damage to other tissues in the joint. The relationship between cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone has particular importance when assessing joint health and determining treatment strategies. The articular cartilage is anchored to the subchondral bone through an interface of calcified cartilage, which as a whole makes up the osteochondral unit. This unit functions primarily by transferring load-bearing weight over the joint to allow for normal joint articulation and movement. Unfortunately, irreversible damage and degeneration of the osteochondral unit can severely limit joint function. Our understanding of joint pain, the primary complaint of patients, is poorly understood and past efforts toward structural cartilage restoration have often not been associated with a reduction in pain. Continued research focusing on the contribution of subchondral bone and restoration of the entire osteochondral unit are therefore needed, with the hope that this will lead to curative, and not merely palliative, treatment options. The purpose of this narrative review is to investigate the role of the osteochondral unit in joint health and disease. Topics of discussion include the crosstalk between cartilage and bone, the efficacy of diagnostic procedures, the origins of joint pain, current and emerging treatment paradigms, and suitable preclinical animal models for safety and efficacy assessment of novel osteochondral therapies. The goal of the review is to facilitate an appreciation of the important role played by the subchondral bone in joint pain and why the osteochondral unit as a whole should be considered in many cases of joint restoration strategies.

Ankle Arthroscopic Surgery

Ankle arthroscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic surgical procedure which was first attempted on cadavers by Dr Burman in 1931 and first successfully described in patients by Dr Takagi in 1939. Two general approaches to ankle arthroscopy currently exist: (1) anterior ankle arthroscopy and (2) posterior ankle arthroscopy. The indications for ankle arthroscopy have expanded as increased experience has been obtained treating various pathologic entities and as the surgical results have been reported in the literature. There has been significant progress in ankle arthroscopic surgery over the past decades, notably allowing surgical procedures to be performed with fewer complications and with quicker return to work and play. We anticipate that expanding indications for arthroscopic ankle surgical procedures combined with further development of biomedical devices to enhance these procedures will result in improved patient outcomes in the future.

Conservative Management and Biological Treatment Strategies: Proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle

BACKGROUND

The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle are based on both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on "Conservative Management and Biological Treatment Strategies" developed at the 2017 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

METHODS

Seventy-five international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 25 countries and 1 territory were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within 11 working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed upon in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterized as follows: consensus, 51% to 74%; strong consensus, 75% to 99%; unanimous, 100%.

RESULTS

A total of 12 statements on Conservative Management and Biological Treatment Strategies reached consensus during the 2017 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. Ten statements reached strong consensus (greater than 75% agreement), and 2 achieved consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with conservative management and biological treatment strategies for osteochondral lesions of the talus.