RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and the functional results of the osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) treated with arthroscopic osteochondroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on 25 cases (25 feet) of osteochondral lesion of talus that were treated with arthroscopic osteochondroplasty from May 1997 to June 2005 with at least 1 year follow-up. Follow-up period was average 21.8 months. The average age was 37.2 years old. Male patients were 22 while female were 3. Postoperative evaluation was performed with American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Functional score, patient satisfaction and complications. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent of patients had trauma history. Seventy-two percent of the lesions were located at the medial dome. As for the cartilage classification, 56% were fibrillation/fissure lesions while 44% were flap tears. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score improved from 6.8 points to 2.2 points, and AOFAS score improved from 71.3 points to 87.3 points. Eighty-eight percent of the patients were satisfied with the surgery and average period of returning to previous job was 6.5 weeks. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the arthroscopic osteochondroplasty is a viable surgical option for the osteochondral lesion of the talus.