Osteochondral lesion of the talus: presentation and management - A case report

Abstract

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) involve the chondral and subchondral region typically. Most are secondary to trauma. The patients present with pain, stiffness, swelling. Diagnosis is made typically by clinical and radiological correlation. Treatment strategies employed can be conservative or surgical. This case report is of a 24-year-old male, who presented with pain on the right ankle ,for a chronic period following trauma. The patient was diagnosed with OLT and underwent surgical treatment (Right medial malleolus osteotomy +curettage of right talus + bone grafting  + reconstruction of the medial malleolus). This case study is aimed at understanding the various treatment strategies for OLT, both surgical and non-surgical and thus arriving at a conclusion. Treatment of osteochondral lesions is mainly by early screening in high-risk patients (trauma). Although outcomes are favorable in most of the cases, treatment should be individualized to every patient with adequate counseling of outcomes and complications.