Incidence of Coexisting Talar and Tibial Osteochondral Lesions Correlates With Patient Age and Lesion Location.

Background: The incidence of coexisting osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the tibia and talus has been negatively correlated with successful clinical outcomes, yet these lesions have not been extensively characterized.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of coexisting tibial and talar OCLs, assess the morphologic characteristics of these lesions, and evaluate whether these characteristics are predictive of outcome.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: A total of 83 patients who underwent surgery for a talar OCL were evaluated for coexisting OCLs of the distal tibia with preoperative magnetic resonance images. Size, location, containment, International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade, patient age, and patient sex were analyzed for predictors of coexisting lesions or patient outcome. The talar and tibial surfaces were each divided into 9 zones, with 1 corresponding to the most anteromedial region and proceeding laterally and then posteriorly. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was evaluated pre- and postoperatively.

Results: Twenty-six patients (31%) had coexisting tibial and talar OCLs, with 9 (35%) identified as kissing lesions. Age correlated with coexisting lesion incidence, as older patients were more likely to have a coexisting tibial OCL ( P = .038). More than half of talar OCLs were found in zone 4 (61%), whereas the majority of tibial OCLs were located in zones 2, 4, and 5 (19% each). Patients with coexisting lesions were more likely to have a lateral talar OCL ( P = .028), while those without a coexisting tibial lesion were more likely to have a talar OCL in zone 4 ( P = .016). There was no difference in FAOS result or lesion size between patients with and without coexisting OCLs, but patients with coexisting lesions were more likely to have an ICRS grade 4 talar OCL ( P = .034). For patients with coexisting lesions, kissing lesions were more likely to be located in zone 6 ( P = .043). There was no difference in OCL size or containment between kissing and nonkissing coexisting OCLs.

Conclusion: The incidence of coexisting talar and tibial OCLs may be more prevalent than what previous reports have suggested, with older patients being more likely to present with this pathology. The location of a talar OCL correlates with the incidence of a coexisting tibial OCL.