Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are a known cause of chronic ankle pain. Cartilage lacks an intrinsic healing mechanism; therefore, patients with this pathology often present to surgery. Multiple treatment methods have been advocated, including debridement, drilling, microfracture, osteochondral allografts/autografts, and autologous chondrocyte implantation. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a technique that has been applied in the treatment of knee articular defects. We have used this technique to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus that have failed previous surgical treatment or have a large subchondral bone deficit.