[Autogenous distal tibial cancellous bone graft with periosteum for the treatment of cartilage injury of talus with Hepple III-IV type].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the operative methods and clinical effects of autologous distal tibial cancellous bone graft with periosteum in treating cartilage injury of talus with Hepple III-IV type.

METHODS: From June 2014 to August 2017, 25 patients (25 feet) with Hepple III to IV cartilage injury of talus were treated with autogenous ipsilateral distal tibial cancellous bone graft. Including 14 males and 11 females, aged from 18 to 52 years with an average of (38.4±3.1) years; left foot was in 8 cases and right foot was in 17 cases. According to Hepple classification, type III of 9 cases, type IV of 16 cases. The curative effect was assessed by Amercian orthopedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) before operation and 12 months after operation.

RESULTS: All 25 patients were followed up for 12 to 28 months with an average of (14.2±2.5) months. AOFAS and VAS scores were improved from preoperative 53.02±10.06, 8.02±1.14 to 88.04±7.45, 1.26±1.74 at 12 months after operation ( P <0.05). According to AOFAS standard, 16 cases got excellent results, 6 good, 3 poor.

CONCLUSIONS: Autologous distal tibial cancellous bone graft with periosteum is an effective method for Hepple III-IV cartilage injury of talus. It can effectively relieve ankle pain and improve ankle joint function.