[Osteochondral lesions of the talus].

Abstract

Introduction: The talus has a comparatively high occurrence of osteochondral lesions (OCL), largely due to its unique anatomic characteristics. These lesions can occur post-traumatic or primary. Patients often present with non-specific symptoms, making a thorough clinical examination essential. This examination should include assessing hindfoot alignment, performing antero-lateral and antero-medial palpation with the ankle joint slightly plantar-flexed and evaluating stability. Beyond standard X-ray examinations, additional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthro-computed tomography (CT) are valuable diagnostic tools. Surgical intervention is recommended for symp-tomatic patients with unstable OCL. Besides cartilage reconstructive procedures, options like fusion or prosthetic treatments are available for managing recurring pain.