Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Medial Talar Dome with Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation

Osteochondral lesions of the talar dome (osteochondral lesions of the talus) occur as the result of a variety of causes, including an association with ankle sprains. Radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography scans are used to classify these lesions. Symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus can be treated conservatively, but when this fails, surgical intervention is often necessary. Arthroscopic marrow stimulation techniques, such as drilling or microfracture, may be successful even with repeat surgery. When this fails or large cystic medial lesions are present, osteochondral autograft transplantation of cartilage from the nonarticulating aspect of the lateral femoral condyle is an option that provides a high rate of good-to-excellent results