Factors affecting the healing of arthroscopic microfracture and the role of MRI in follow-up: Talus osteochondral lesions

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to compare preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiological findings of patients with talus osteochondral lesion who underwent arthroscopic microfracture surgery.
METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for talus osteochondral lesion between 2014-2017 at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of a tertiary hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS and VAS scores were recorded, and the results were compared with demographic data. Twenty-four patients with magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated with the MOCART system. Results were compared with AOFAS, VAS scores, and demographic data.
RESULTS: Of the 32 patients included in the study, 13 (40.6%) were male, and 19 (59.4%) were female. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 26.1 kg/m². In 14 (43.8%) patients, there was a history of trauma. The number of smokers was 12 (37.5%). Twelve (37.5%) patients had a BMI≤25 kg/m², and 20 (62.5%) patients had a BMI>25 kg/m². The mean age of the patients was 42.62 years. The mean follow-up period was 20.9 months. The mean MOCART value of the patients with MRI after surgery was 56.11.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was found that there was no correlation between cartilage healing detected with MRI and clinical improvement, function, and patient satisfaction. The body mass indexes of the patients and smoking did not have a significant effect on the results.