Talar Osteoperiostic Grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC): 2-Year Results of a Novel Press-Fit Surgical Treatment for Large Talar Osteochondral Lesions

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present the surgical technique and to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a new press-fit OATS technique for large primary and secondary talar osteochondral defects of the talus, Talar OsteoPeriostic grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC). Methods: Forty patients underwent a press-fit TOPIC procedure. Mean age was 38 years (SD 4.6). Pre- and postoperative clinical assessment at 12- and 24-months follow-up included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the Short- Form 36 (SF-36) Mental Component Scale (MCS) and Physical Component Scale (PCS), the Numeric Rating Scales (NRS) of pain at rest, during walking and stairclimbing, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Return to work was assessed in time and rate. Remodeling of the contour of the talus, bone ingrowth and consolidation of the implanted graft were assessed on computed tomography (CT) one year post-operatively. Results: All patients were available for the two-year follow-up. The AOFAS improved from 48 to 90 (p<0.05). All NRS scores improved: the NRS during rest from 3 to 0 (p<0.05), the NRS during walking from 5 to 1 p<0.05), and the NRS during stairclimbing from 5 to 1 (p<0.05). Both components of the SF-36 improved. The PCS improved from 34 to 47 (p<0.05) and the MCS from 37 to 66 (p<0.05). All FAOS subscales significantly improved. 70% returned to sport at pre-injury sports level and mean time to return to sports was 9 months (SD 2.4). All patients showed remodeling of the talus and all grafts showed consolidation as well as bone ingrowth on the CT scans. All patients returned to work, at a mean time of 4 months post-operatively (SD 4.4). One patient had a temporary loss of n. saphenous sensibility. Conclusion: The TOPIC procedure is a highly promising surgical treatment option for large primary and secondary talar OCDs. Despite these good mid-terms clinical, sports and radiological outcomes, longer follow-up is necessary to assess the clinical outcome and the progression of osteoarthritis at the long term.