Improvement of Early-stage Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus after Isolated Lateral Stabilizing Surgery in Patients with Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability
10.14193/jkfas.2025.29.4.151
- Author:
Sung Hyun HWANG
1
;
Jun Hyeok SONG
;
Yong Sik LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
2025;29(4):151-157
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Early-stage osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) are often accompanied by chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). This study evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of isolated lateral ligament stabilization in CLAI patients with concomitant earlystage OLT.
Materials and Methods:Patients who underwent lateral ligament stabilization for CLAI between 2017 and 2022 and had a minimum clinical follow-up of 2 years were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-four patients with CLAI and concomitant OLT confirmed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle–hindfoot score, the visual analog scale (VAS), and the Tegner activity score. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative MRI were performed to measure the size of the OLT and quantify bone marrow edema (BME).
Results:The functional outcomes improved significantly after surgery: the AOFAS score increased from 65.7±11.1 to 91.1±6.8; the VAS pain score decreased from 6.2±1.6 to 1.4±1.1; the Tegner activity score improved from 2.9±1.2 to 5.6±1.0 (all p<0.001). Although the mean OLT size decreased slightly without statistical significance, the extent and signal intensity of BME were significantly lower on the postoperative MRI. The extent and signal intensity of BME were significantly lower on postoperative MRI in the sagittal and coronal planes (all p<0.05).
Conclusion:In patients with CLAI and early‑stage OLT, isolated lateral ligament stabilization resulted in significant clinical improvement with MRI evidence of reduced BME and no progression of the osteochondral lesion at the short-term follow-up. Mechanical restoration of ankle stability alone may be sufficient to maintain or improve early-stage OLTs without direct surgical intervention on the lesion.
