Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee Joint: Midterm Clinical and MRI Outcomes of Arthroscopic Retrograde Drilling and Internal Fixation with Bioabsorbable Pins

Objective This study aimed to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of juvenile patients who suffered from stage II or III osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee and underwent arthroscopic retrograde drilling and internal fixation with bioabsorbable pins. Design Medical and radiological records from patients aged 11 to 16 years, who underwent arthroscopic treatment for OCD lesions of the knee in 2 tertiary hospitals, were retrospectively reviewed. The procedure was indicated by persistent pain and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients underwent retrograde drilling and arthroscopic fixation of the lesion with bioabsorbable pins. MRI was conducted at least 1 year postoperative in all patients to evaluate healing. Functional outcomes were evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Lysholm, and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) scores. Results A total of 40 patients, with an average age of 13.1 years (range = 11-16 years) and an average follow-up of 6.6 years (range = 3-13 years) were reviewed. MRI findings confirmed the healing of the lesion in 36 out of the 40 (90%) patients. In particular, the healing rate was 95% (20/21) and 84% (16/19) for stage II and stage III, respectively. Lysholm, IKDC, and VAS scores revealed a statistically significant improvement ( P < 0.05) at final follow-up in comparison to preoperative status. No infection, knee stiffness, or other complication was recorded. Conclusions Retrograde drilling combined with internal fixation with bioabsorbable pins, of stages II and III OCD lesions of the knee provides good to excellent outcomes to juvenile patients, with a high healing rate.

Re-operation rate after surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus in paediatric and adolescent patients

Background The aim of this study is to analyse the re-operation rate after surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs) in children and adolescents. Methods Between 2009 and 2019, 27 consecutive patients with a solitary OCLT (10 male, 17 female; mean age 16.9 ± 2.2 years; 8 idiopathic vs. 19 traumatic) received primary operative treatment (arthroscopy + bone marrow stimulation [BMS], n = 8; arthroscopy + retrograde drilling, n = 8; autologous chondrocyte implantation [ACI]/autologous bone grafting, n = 9; arthroscopy + BMS + retrograde drilling; n = 1; flake fixation, n = 1). Seventeen OCLTs were located at the medial and ten at the lateral talus. ‘Re-operation’ as the outcome measure was evaluated after a median follow-up of 42 months (range 6–117 months). Patients were further subdivided into groups A (re-operation, n = 7) and B (no re-operation, n = 20). Groups A and B were compared with respect to epidemiological, lesion- and therapy-related variables. Results Seven of 27 patients needed a re-operation (re-operation rate 25.9% after a median interval of 31 months [range 13–61 months]). The following operative techniques were initially used in these seven patients: arthroscopy + BMS n = 2, arthroscopy + retrograde drilling n = 4, ACI + autologous bone grafting n = 1. A comparison of group A with group B revealed different OCLT characteristics between both groups. The intraoperative findings according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification revealed significantly more advanced cartilage damage in group B than in group A (p = 0.001). Conclusions We detected a re-operation rate of 25.9% after primary surgical OCLT treatment. Patients with re-operation had significantly lower ICRS classification stages compared to patients without re-operation.

Electromagnetic navigation reduces radiation exposure for retrograde drilling in osteochondrosis dissecans of the talus

Background Retrograde drilling in osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a widely used surgical intervention. A radiation-free electromagnetic navigation system (ENS)-based method was compared with the standard freehand fluoroscopic (SFF) method regarding clinical applicability. Methods We performed a clinical cohort study at a department of Orthopaedics in a Level 1 children’s hospital with 40 patients (20 SFF and 20 ENS). Retrograde drilling of the talar dome was used in patients with unstable medial OCD (MRI stage 2 according to Hepple’s revised classification; stage 2 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society). The outcome measurements were: (a) Intraoperative fluoroscopy exposure and length of surgery and (b) Postoperative serial follow-up MRIs every 6 months. Results 22 female and 18 male patients aged 13.8 ± 1.6 years (range: 11–17 years) were included. Using the ENS technique, length of surgery was significantly reduced to 20.2 ± 6.4 min compared to 36.1 ± 11.8 min (p < 0.01) for the SFF technique. The average x-ray radiation time for the SFF technique was 23.5 ± 13.5 sec and 1.9 ± 1.7 sec for the ENS technique (p < 0.01). Radiation exposure was significantly reduced from 44.6 ± 19.7 mSv (SFF technique) to 5.6 ± 2.8 mSv (ENS technique) (p < 0.01). Intraoperative perforation of cartilage occurred once in the SFF group. Correct placement of the drilling channel was verified in all patients on follow-up MRI after six months and a timely healing was seen after two years. Conclusions The ENS method provides for a significant reduction in length of surgery and radiation exposure. ENS was without intraoperative cartilage perforation. The clinical and radiological follow-up parameters are comparable for SFF- and ENS-guided retrograde drilling. Trial registration WF – 085/20, 05/2020 “retrospectively registered” https://www.aerztekammer-hamburg.org/ethik_kommission.html.

Electromagnetic Navigation Reduces Radiation Exposure and Provides Excellent Accuracy for Retrograde Drilling in Osteochondrosis Dissecans of the Talus

Background: Retrograde drilling in osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a widely used surgical intervention. A radiation-free electromagnetic navigation system (ENS)-based method was compared with the standard freehand fluoroscopic (SFF) method regarding clinical applicability.Methods: We performed a clinical cohort study at a department of Orthopaedics in a Level 1 children’s hospital with 40 patients (20 SFF and 20 ENS). Retrograde drilling of the talar dome was used in patients with unstable medial OCD (MRI stage 2 according to Hepple’s revised classification; stage 2 according to the International Cartilage Repair Society). The outcome measurements were: a) Intraoperative fluoroscopy exposure and length of surgery and b) Postoperative serial follow-up MRIs every 6 months.Results: 22 female and 18 male patients aged 13.8 ± 1.6 years (range: 11-17 years) were included. Using the ENS technique, length of surgery was significantly reduced to 20.2 ± 6.4 min compared to 36.1 ± 11.8 min (p<0.01) for the SFF technique. The average x-ray radiation time for the SFF technique was 23.5 ± 13.5 sec and 1.9 ± 1.7 sec for the ENS technique (p<0.01). Radiation exposure was significantly reduced from 44.6 ± 19.7 mSv (SFF technique) to 5.6± 2.8 mSv (ENS technique) (p<0.01). Intraoperative perforation of cartilage occurred once in the SFF group. Correct placement of the drilling channel was verified in all patients on follow-up MRI after six months and a timely healing was seen after two years. No differences were detected on follow-up MRI between the two methods.Conclusions: The ENS method provides for a significant reduction in length of surgery and radiation exposure. ENS was without intraoperative cartilage perforation. The clinical and radiological follow-up parameters are comparable for SFF- and ENS-guided retrograde drilling.Trial registration: WF – 085/20, 05/2020 “retrospectively registered”

Outcomes of talar osteochondral and transchondral lesions using an evidence-based algorithmic approach based on size, location and subchondral plate integrity: a 10-year study on 204 lesions

Objectives: Treatments outcomes for articular lesions of the talus are variable based on size. MRI has been used to assess size and location, and base treatment. We prospectively analyzed talar lesions and the outcomes of surgical procedures based on lesion size, which are typically measured two-dimensionally, intact cartilage/subchondral plate and activity level. We propose following a treatment algorithm will yield favorable results and outcomes. Methods: Over a ten-year period, transchondral and osteochondral lesions of the talus were measured tri-dimensionally on pre-operative MRI, location noted based on a nine-region grid pattern of the talar dome, and patients’ activity level documented. Procedures were performed based on lesion size, integrity of cartilage and lesion location. They were assessed with pre- and post-operative AOFAS scores, post-operative Roles Maudsley score and time to return to activity. Lesions below 125 mm³ were treated with microfracture or retrograde drilling, lesions less than 1500 mm³ were treated with autogenous bone graft, and larger lesions were treated with fresh allograft. Results: 204 talar lesions were analyzed. The following surgeries were performed: arthroscopy with microfracture or retrograde drilling (with or without bone graft) N =159, arthrotomy (with or without osteotomy) with autogenous bone graft N = 60, and fresh allograft with osteotomy N =7. The average follow-up post-index surgery was 82.53± 34.62 (range 24-132) months for the entire cohort. The average time to return to activity was 7.93 ± 5.00 (range 2-36) months. The average pre-AOFAS score was 76.44 ± 10.98 (range 52-86) and average post-AOFAS score was 96.12 ± 3.46 (range 81-100), P=.0001. Post-surgery RM score was 1.28 ± 0.49 (range 1-3). There were no differences in outcomes based on lesion size. Conclusion: Similar outcomes were able to be achieved regardless of talar lesion size using the treatment algorithm.Clinicians should consider using three-dimensional measurements when determining the best treatment approach to talar lesions.Microfracture, while successful for certain talar lesions, may not have a role for larger lesions. Other techniques such as retrograde drilling, autogenous bone grafting and allograft can yield good results, along with microfracture when used appropriately based on lesion size.

Retrograde Drilling for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in Skeletally Immature Children

Background: Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) involve damage to the cartilage and subchondral bone and are infrequent in children. Clinicians usually attempt nonsurgical treatment of OLTs first, and subsequently progress to surgical treatments, including retrograde drilling (RD), if the initial outcomes are insufficient. Good clinical outcomes of RD have been reported. However, the clinical outcomes of RD in skeletally immature children remain unclear, and the associated preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) findings have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and CT findings and clarify the efficacy of RD for OLTs. Methods: From January 2015 to April 2018, RD was performed on 8 ankles in 6 skeletally immature children. The patients comprised 4 boys and 2 girls with a mean age at surgery of 11.1 years. The mean follow-up was 22.8 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) scale. Preoperative and final follow-up CT findings were used to determine the degree of healing. Results: The mean JSSF scale in all ankles improved from 79.4 (range, 69-90) points preoperatively to 98.4 (range, 87-100) points at final follow-up ( P < .05). In the preoperative CT findings, 3 ankles had no bone fragmentation, 4 had partial bone fragmentation, and 1 had whole fragmentation. In the final follow-up CT findings, 4 ankles demonstrated good healing, 3 were fair, and 1 was poor. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that RD is an effective surgical treatment for OLTs in skeletally immature children. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Retrograde Drilling for Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus in Juvenile Patients

Background: Retrograde drilling (RD) is generally used for treating osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) with a stable osteochondral fragment and nearly normal articular cartilage surface. Previous studies that included participants of various ages have reported good clinical results. This study aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes of RD for OLT in juvenile patients whose bone-forming ability and physical activity might affect the healing process. Methods: This retrospective study included 8 juvenile patients who underwent RD for OLT (5 boys and 3 girls, mean age 14.9 years, mean follow-up 2 years, 7 medial and 1 central lesion). American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and ankle activity score were evaluated, and arthroscopic findings were graded according to the International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) classification system. The condition of the underlying bone was assessed on preoperative computed tomographic images. The stability, incorporation, and subsidence of the osteochondral fragment, articular surface congruity, and the area of the bone marrow lesion (BML) were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and ankle activity score significantly improved postoperatively. Arthroscopically, the lesions were classified as ICRS grade 0 or 1. Bone sclerosis or multiple small cysts of the underlying bone were observed in all patients. MRI demonstrated no signs of osteochondral fragment instability or subsidence, good or fair fragment incorporation, good articular surface congruity, or slight irregularity. The postoperative BML was reduced; however, these BMLs were still detectable at 1 year after surgery. Conclusion: Our data suggested that RD is an option for treating juvenile patients with OLT refractory to nonoperative treatment at short-term follow-up. Although bone sclerosis or multiple small cysts were identified in the underlying bone preoperatively and the BML under the osteochondral fragment remained postoperatively, clinical status such as pain and physical activity level were improved by RD. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Retrograde Drilling for Osteochondral Lesion of the Talar Dome in Juvenile Patients

Category: Ankle, Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: Osteochondral lesion of the talar dome (OLT) is common condition that causes pain of ankle joint in juvenile patients. Several surgical options have been available such as excision of detached cartilage fragment, microfracture, autologous cancellous bone graft and osteochondral autografting depending on the status of OLT. Arthroscopic drilling including transmalleolar or retrograde technique could be a good option for OLT patients with stable osteochondral fragment with normal articular surface. Retrograde drilling has an advantage in preventing the iatrogenic articular cartilage injury. This study aimed to clarify the clinical outcome of the retrograde drilling for OLT in juvenile patients. Methods: Our retrospective analysis included 8 patients who underwent retrograde drilling for OLT, in 5 boys and 3 girls, with a mean age of 14.9 years (range, 11-19). Range of motion (ROM) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle- hindfoot score were evaluated as the clinical outcomes. OLTs were classified into 4 grades according to arthroscopic findings by international cartilage research society (ICRS) classification. Radiographic analysis was performed using preoperative and postoperative images. Growth plate was evaluated on plane radiographs, and the location and size of OLT were assessed on computed tomography. The high intensity area of the talus was also measured on T2 fat suppression images. Results: All 8 patients were followed with a mean follow-up period of 2 years, and they had no complication or revision surgery. The mean total ROM were 65.6° preoperatively and 67.1° postoperatively. AOFAS scale improved from 69.3 to 96.7 (p = 0.012). The ICRS 1 and 2 OLT lesions were identified arthroscopically in 5 and 3 patients, respectively. Growth plate remained open in 4 patients, and OLTs were located on the posteromedial in 7 patients, center in 1 patient. The mean size of OLT fragment was 9.8 mm, 6.8 mm and 3.5 mm in length, width and height. Coronal and sagittal T2 fat suppression images demonstrated that the high intensity area of 241.3 mm2, 554.5 mm2 at preoperative status and 190.9 mm2, 302.6 mm2 at final follow-up status. Conclusion: These findings revealed that the retrograde drilling remarkably improved clinical status in juvenile OLT patients. The high intensity area at the talus remained postoperatively, however, that did not affect clinical results. Retrograde drilling procedure should be considered for treating juvenile patients in the early period after detection of the OLT.