Results in Conservative Treatment of Osteochondral Lesion of Talus / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the results of conservative treatment of osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT). This study would be helpful to determine the treatment methods for OLT patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have established 69 cases of osteochondral lesion of talus, from December 2004 to June 2006 in a period of 18 months. Symptoms were confirmed through survey and a medical examination by interviewing patients. Diagnosis was made through physical examination, simple radiography and MRI. AOFAS score of all the patients were measured. When the patients did not get improved with conservative treatment, surgical operation was done. RESULTS: 27 out of the 69 patients were treated using conservative treatment. Initial AOFAS scored was 66.37+/-8.89 points. After treatment, AOFAS scores had increased to 83.78+/-8.48 points. In cases of surgery, AOFAS scores had increased from 64.17+/-13.43 points preoperatively to 80.45+/-8.67 points. CONCLUSION: 60% of conservative treatment was useless in treating OLT patients. Surgical operation is still needed to be performed. Therefore, treatment should be done with sufficient understanding of the results.