Arthroscopic medullary decompression combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy for bone marrow edema of the talus / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To report the efficacy of arthroscopic medullary decompression combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of bone marrow edema of the talus.Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the clinical data of 17 patients with bone marrow edema of the talus admitted to Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2018 to July 2020. There were 11 males and 6 females, with the age range of 15-56 years [(45.7±4.3)years]. All patients were subjected to arthroscopic medullary decompression combined with the administration of PRP. Operation time and wound healing were recorded. Maximum area of bone marrow edema was measured by MRI preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Ankle range of motion (ROM), visual analog score (VAS) and American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were measured preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Complications were also detected.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-41 months [(16.7±2.1)months]. Operation time was 45.2-68.5 minutes [(53.4±12.4)minutes]. All wounds were healed at stage I. The maximum area of bone marrow edema decreased from (28.2±6.9)mm 2 preoperatively to (16.3±5.7)mm 2 at 6 months postoperatively and to (7.1±1.7)mm 2 at 12 months postoperatively (all P<0.01). Ankle ROM increased from (52.2±8.9)° preoperatively to (72.3±3.1)° at 6 months postoperatively and to (83.1±2.8)° at 12 months postoperatively (all P<0.01). VAS decreased from (8.2±0.6)points preoperatively to (6.5±0.4)points at 6 months postoperatively and to (3.1±0.8)points at 12 months postoperatively (all P<0.01). AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score increased from (32.4±4.8)points preoperatively to (54.4±6.5)points at 6 months postoperatively and to (88.7±4.3)points at 12 months postoperatively (all P<0.01). There were significant differences in maximum area of bone marrow edema of the talus, ankle ROM, VAS and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at 12 months postoperatively when compared with those at 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.01). One patient showed the symptom of localized skin numbness postoperatively, and improved with nerve nutrition therapy. Conclusion:Arthroscopic medullary decompression combined with PRP therapy for bone marrow edema of the talus presents good short-term clinical benefits in terms of reduced extent of bone marrow edema, improved ankle ROM, attenuated pain, improved ankle joint function and few postoperative complications.