Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation of the Ankle: A 2- to 5-Year Follow-Up

Background Treatment of full-thickness talar cartilage defects that have failed previous surgery is problematic without a definitive solution. Purpose To report the first US prospective study of autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Eleven patients (6 women and 5 men; mean age, 33 years) underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus after previous failed surgical management. There were 9 medial and 2 lateral lesions, with a mean size of 21 × 13 mm (273 mm2). Five patients underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus alone; 6 had it with a “sandwich procedure.” Ten patients underwent a second-look arthroscopy with screw removal. Results Mean follow-up was 38 months. Preoperatively, 10 patients rated their ankles as poor and 1 as fair, using the simplified symptomatology evaluation. At latest follow-up, 3 patients were classified as excellent, 6 as good, and 2 as fair. Tegner activity level improved from 1.3 ± 1.0 (mean ± SE) preoperatively to 4.0 ± 1.6 (P