Arthroscopic management of talar dome lesions using a transmalleolar approach

Transmalleolar Approach for Arthroscopy-Assisted Headless Screw Fixation of an Osteochondral Talar Dome Fracture

Displaced osteochondral fractures of the body of talus quite often require a malleolar osteotomy to gain access to the fracture fragment during internal fixation. We describe a case report in which access to a displaced osteochondral fracture of the lateral talar dome was achieved using an arthroscopy-assisted fibular tunnel approach. This technique resulted in satisfactory fracture healing and a satisfactory clinical outcome.

Osteocartilaginous lesions of the talus in soccer players

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to describe the results of arthroscopic debridement for talar lesions in a population of soccer players.

PATIENTS

Patients were sixteen soccer players with osteochondral talar lesions, treated surgically between 1999 and 2004.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients were diagnosed clinically. Complementary imaging studies included X-ray, scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent arthroscopic debridement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

At 3.56 years of follow up, patient status was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Ogilvie-Harris scale. The mean time to return to sports at the same level as that before the start of symptoms was evaluated.

RESULTS

The Ogilvie-Harris score showed 81.75% excellent results and 18.25% good results. The VAS score was 0.26 (0-2.2). Among the total, 93.75% of patients resumed sports activities at the same level as that before surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic debridement of talar osteochondral lesions in soccer players provides excellent results. We consider this option the treatment of choice in this population.