Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Talus: Long-Term Results of Surgical Treatment

Abstract

Twenty patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the ankle were reviewed for a clinical and radiographical follow-up 9 to 15 years after surgery including multiple drilling of the lesion combined with excision of loose fragments. The short-term results of surgery were satisfactory: 85° of the patients were improved or cured. At follow-up, more than half of the patients had some degree of pain during activity, and swelling of the ankle, but only a few had locking or pain at rest. Only one of the 18 patients without osteoarthritis at the time of surgery had developed generalized osteoarthritis at the followup. Although the initial good results of surgery were demonstrated to deteriorate with time, the procedure can still be recommended in patients with longstanding symptoms.