Autologous chondrocyte transplantation for osteochondritis dissecans of the talus.

Eight patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the talus were reviewed. The average followup was 17.6 months (range, 8-26 months). The mean age of the patients was 31.8 years (range, 22-42 years). All patients had a preoperative examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiologic classification of the lesion through regular anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Diagnostic arthroscopy and biopsies of healthy cartilage were done, which then had chondrocyte extraction and culture. After an average of 2.5 weeks, an arthrotomy, malleolar osteotomy, subchondral bone sclerosis debridement, and autologous chondrocyte transplantation were done. The postoperative treatment included nonweightbearing for 6 to 7 weeks, physiotherapy, and continuous passive motion. According to the postoperative evaluation score, all results were excellent to good with an average score of 0.6. No complications occurred. The arthroscopic reexamination of three patients at the sixth postoperative month and the radiologic evaluation of all patients showed the existence of cartilagelike tissue with complete coverage of the chondral defect. This method enables reconstructive intervention for unicompartmental defects of articular cartilage through implantation of new chondrocytes, establishment of a subchondral blood supply, and reconstruction of the articular surface.