Talonavicular Osteochondral Lesions: Surgical Technique and Clinical Outcomes from the Boston and Amsterdam Perspectives

Cartilage. 2024 Mar;15(1):26-36. doi: 10.1177/19476035231200334. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of the present study was to assess the patient-reported outcomes, complications, and reoperation rate of patient who underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talonavicular joint (TNJ).

Methods: Patients undergoing surgical treatment for symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the TNJ with a minimum of 12-month follow-up were included. Outcomes included clinical patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), return to sports and work outcomes, and postoperative complications or reoperations. Medical records were screened by 2 independent reviewers. Patients were contacted by phone and underwent an in-depth interview. Additionally, operative techniques for both arthroscopic and open surgical approaches for treating TNJ osteochondral lesions were described.

Design: Retrospective Case Series (Level IV) and Surgical Technique.

Results: A total of 7 patients were included with a final follow-up time of 25.4 (SD: 15.2) months follow-up. PROMs were considered satisfactory for 5 out of 7 patients, 6 out of 7 patients returned to any level of sports at a mean of 3.7 (SD: 4.2) months, and 5 out of 6 patients returned to preinjury level of sports at a mean of 14 (SD: 7.5) months. All patients returned to work at an average of 5.4 (SD: 3.6) weeks. No complications or reoperations after index surgery were reported.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment of TNJ osteochondral lesions is a feasible procedure that may offer successful clinical, sport, and work outcomes in the majority of patients. Both open and arthroscopic surgical treatments are available and can be considered in a patient-specific treatment plan.

Keywords: OCL; articular cartilage; surgical; talonavicular joint; tissue.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroscopy
  • Boston
  • Cartilage, Articular* / injuries
  • Cartilage, Articular* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports*