ABOUT US
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Shoulder and Knee Specialist
TALAR OSTEOCHONDRAL LESION KANDILNOTES
INTRODUCTION​
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A talar osteochondral lesion (OLT) is a relatively common finding
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It is characterized by an injury of the bone under a piece of cartilage in the talus bone of the ankle joint
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OLTs are at risk of becoming unstable and dislodging into the joint if not treated properly
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10% of OLTs are bilateral, found on both ankles
CAUSES​
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Common OLT causes include trauma especially ankle fractures or sprains, blood supply problems, genetics, and possibly overuse or microtrauma
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
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Pain and/or swelling in the ankle
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Oftentimes associated with mechanical symptoms like catching and popping
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Pain is usually worse after activity but can also be present at rest
TREATMENT​​
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Treatment of OLT is dependent on multiple factors including patient age, size of lesion, and whether the OLT is stable or unstable
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For small, stable OLTs, treatment is often conservative as there is a higher likelihood of healing. Treatment consists of rest, avoiding repetitive jumping or load bearing, bracing or casting
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For larger, unstable OLTs, surgery is often recommended and consists of multiple options such as drilling to stimulate bone healing, OLT osteochondral grafting, or cartilage reconstruction procedures.
PREVENTION ​​
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The best way to prevent this condition from becoming unstable is to rest and avoid repetitive activities that overload the ankle