Posterior ankle arthroscopic microfracture with platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of posterior ankle arthroscopic microfracture with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for the treatment of posterior osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted on clinical data of 13 patients with posterior OLT admitted to Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University from September 2019 to October 2020. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged 10-65 years [(38.2±15.9) years]. According to Hepple′s classification, four patients were with type II, three with type IV, and six with type V. According to Elias′ grid scheme, nine patients were in zone 7 and four patients in zone 9. The disease duration was 13-51 months [(26.2±11.4) months]. All patients underwent posterior ankle arthroscopic microfracture with PRP injection. The operation time was recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and ankle range of motion (ROM) were compared before operation and at 3 months and 1 year after operation. The magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used to evaluate the repair of cartilage injury at 1 year after operation. Complications were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 12-25 months [(15.7±3.7) months]. The operation time ranged from 50 to 90 minutes [(63.8±13.3) minutes]. The VAS improved from 3.0(3.0, 4.0)points before operation to 1.0(0, 2.0)points at 3 months after operation and 1.0(0,1.5)points at 1 year after operation; the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was improved from (66.1±11.8)points before operation to (84.8±9.5)points at 3 months after operation and (92.9±8.6)points at 1 year after operation; the ankle ROM was improved from (48.5±7.5)° before operation to (61.9±10.3)° at 3 months after operation and (65.4±11.8)° at 1 year after operation (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS at 3 months and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). There were significant differences in AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and ankle ROM at 3 months and 1 year after operation (all P<0.05). According to AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, the results were excellent in 11 patients, good in one, and fair in one, with the excellent and good rate of 92%. The MOCART score was 40-85 points [(70.4±14.2) points] at 1 year after operation. There was no postoperative necrosis, infection or neurovascular injury. Two patients had slight transient pain during rehabilitation training and were improved after non-surgical treatment. Conclusion For posterior OLT, posterior ankle arthroscopic microfracture with PRP injection can effectively alleviate pain, improve ankle function and repair cartilage damage, with satisfactory short-term efficacy.