您的感受¶
距骨骨软骨损伤是指位于踝关节下方的距骨表面上一小块受损的软骨和骨组织。损伤可能源于单次踝关节扭伤,源于随时间推移反复发生的扭伤,或源于尚未完全明确的多重因素组合。部分存在此类损伤的人没有任何感觉。其他人则会注意到踝关节深处反复出现的酸痛。
疼痛通常位于踝关节内部,且在活动时往往加重。停止活动并休息后,疼痛可能会缓解。您的踝关节也可能出现肿胀,并在关节周围感到压痛。如果您之前曾扭伤过同一侧踝关节,这段病史通常与当前的情况相符。
在日常生活中,这种酸痛会使行走、长时间站立以及足部蹬地动作比正常情况下更加困难。不平整的地面、楼梯以及对踝关节施加负荷的运动都可能诱发症状。有些人发现,在久坐或休息后重新开始活动时,踝关节会感到僵硬或酸痛。
如果上述任何情况听起来很熟悉,建议对踝关节进行适当的检查。影像学扫描可以显示受损区域的位置、大小和严重程度,因为小块的损伤在普通X光片上可能无法显现。
实际发生了什么¶
距骨是位于踝关节正下方的骨骼。其顶面覆盖着一层光滑、润滑的软骨,这是一种坚韧的衬垫,使两块骨骼能够无摩擦地相互滑动。可以将其想象为轮胎的胎面:坚固、略带弹性,并在您每次站立或行走时承受负荷。
在这种疾病中,该软骨的一小块区域,有时还包括其下方的骨骼,已经受到挫伤、开裂或脱落。损伤的冲击力将关节面紧紧压在一起,足以损伤表层。有时根本不存在单一的损伤:该斑块可能由反复的轻微撞击、该部位骨骼的血供问题,或尚未完全明确的原因所导致。
受损斑块本身无法感知疼痛,因为软骨没有神经。您感受到的酸痛来自下方的骨骼。当您行走时,液体在高压下通过该骨骼中的微小裂缝挤出,这会刺激血供丰富的骨表面,从而产生那种深层的、令人烦恼的疼痛。随着时间的推移,这种压力还可能导致骨骼内形成一个充满液体的空腔,即囊肿。如果受损斑块断裂并在关节内自由漂浮,它可能会卡住或引起肿胀和弹响。
较小的损伤斑块有时可以通过休息和时间自行缓解。较大的斑块,或斑块已经脱落的情况,往往持续引起症状,并可能逐渐进一步磨损关节。这就是为什么斑块的大小、深度和位置(可通过扫描显示)决定了后续的治疗方案。
我们如何处理该问题¶
CT 扫描能够构建骨骼的详细图像,可精确显示受损区域位于距骨(talus)的前部、中部还是后部。MRI 扫描能详细显示软骨和骨骼,帮助我们评估受损区域的大小和深度。这些细节将决定我们下一步的建议。
对于尚未脱落的小型受损区域,我们通常首先采用非手术治疗。这意味着休息、调整踝关节负重方式以及进行物理治疗。物理治疗旨在缓解疼痛、增强支撑踝关节的肌肉力量,并在不平坦地面上稳定关节。在考虑手术之前,请给予非手术治疗充分的尝试。对于患有此病的患者,非手术治疗对约 45% 的人有效。如果您的受损区域处于早期阶段,这通常是正确的起始方案。一些较深的受损区域也可以先采用这种方式治疗,但如果症状反复出现,往往需要手术。
如果受损区域较大、已经脱落,或者非手术治疗未能提供足够的缓解,我们将与您讨论手术事宜。手术的目标是到达受损区域,清除松动或不健康的组织,并促进新组织在间隙中生长。对于小到中等的受损区域,通常通过关节镜手术(arthroscopy,即微创手术)完成,使用细长的相机和小型器械通过微小切口进行操作。对于较大的受损区域,手术可能涉及用健康的软骨和骨骼替换受损表面,这些组织可取自您自身膝盖的其他部位或来自供体组织。如果您的踝关节韧带因反复扭伤而松弛,我们可能会同时对其进行紧缩,以保护修复后的表面和关节的长期健康。具体手术方式取决于您受损区域的大小、深度和位置,在共同决定之前,我们会向您解释适合您的方案。
预期情况¶
该疾病没有单一的固定病程。小范围的损伤有时可通过休息和时间自行缓解。较大范围的损伤,或受损碎片已松脱的情况,往往持续引发症状,并可能逐渐加重关节磨损。因此,损伤范围的大小、深度和位置决定了后续的发展情况。
如果非手术治疗对您有效,预后是稳定的。通过初期休息和活动调整而稳定的损伤,与长期症状轻微、复发率低以及踝关节退行性关节炎无明显进展相关。如果损伤未能稳定,大多数症状持续或存在松脱碎片的人需要手术。
手术旨在缓解疼痛并恢复踝关节功能。针对该疾病的大多数合理手术方案均能带来相似且令人满意的结果,方案的选择主要取决于您的损伤情况,而非某种技术优于另一种。对于接受关节镜手术的小范围损伤,在损伤面积小于或等于 1.5 平方厘米的 50 岁以下人群中,89% 的人报告了良好或极佳的疗效。无论损伤是否由外伤引起,疗效相似。某些手术可促进身体在缺损处生长新的修复组织,在大多数病例中,这种组织生长可在详细扫描中观察到。其他选择是用健康的软骨和骨骼替换受损表面,如果之前的手术未成功,这些方法也可安全使用。
了解手术并非总能解决的问题是值得注意的。在关节镜微骨折术(即在骨骼上钻小孔以促进修复)后,表面下方的骨骼在长期内可能无法完全恢复其正常高度,骨骼内的小液腔有时可能会恶化。尽管经过治疗,有些人仍会持续注意到症状。
如果您的踝关节韧带因反复扭伤而松弛,在修复损伤的同时进行韧带紧缩手术,可能有助于保护修复后的表面并减缓进一步的软骨损伤。您的外科医生将与您讨论适合您损伤情况和目标的治疗方案。
何时就医¶
如果您同一只脚踝扭伤超过一次,或者脚踝内部深处的酸痛在活动后反复出现且休息后缓解,请咨询您的全科医生。如果脚踝肿胀且持续压痛,感觉不稳或在凹凸不平的地面上打软,或者出现卡顿、弹响或锁定现象,请要求专科医生评估。这些症状可能意味着关节内有松动的受损软骨碎片。同时,请询问关于韧带的问题:反复扭伤会拉伸韧带,而这种松弛会持续损害关节面。早期干预很有必要,因为拉伸的韧带和受损的软骨区域会相互影响。
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Anatomy & Pathophysiology¶
Lesion Morphology and Classification¶
- Osteochondral fragments of the talus are often loose and turned upside down within the crater, with subchondral bone appearing yellowish and hard [1].
- The Pritsch et al. (1986) classification system for osteochondral lesions of the talus includes stages for intact overlying cartilage, soft overlying cartilage, and frayed overlying cartilage [3].
- The Cheng et al. (1995) classification system for osteochondral lesions of the talus includes stages for smooth/intact but soft or ballotable cartilage, rough surface, fibrillation/fissuring, flap present or bone exposed, loose undisplaced fragment, and displaced fragment [3].
- CT scans in the axial plane can show the crater and fragments of an osteochondral lesion [1].
- Coronal CT scans can locate a lesion as anterior, middle, or posterior, which is often difficult to determine on radiograph [1].
- CT with 2-mm cuts in the coronal and axial planes determines whether a lesion is in the anterior third, middle third, or posterior third of the talar dome [3].
- Lesion size measured on MRI does not accurately reflect arthroscopic measurement in talar osteochondral lesions [2].
Anatomical Considerations for Surgical Approach¶
- The lateral malleolus is posterior to the tibia, allowing lateral lesions in the middle or posterior third to usually be approached anteriorly without osteotomy [3].
- Osteotomy of the medial malleolus is often necessary to expose posterior or posteromedial lesions of the talus [1, 3].
- An anteromedial approach can be used for posteromedial lesions by "grooving" the anteromedial distal tibial articular surface 6 to 8 mm to expose the lesion without osteotomy of the medial malleolus [3].
- A posteromedial arthrotomy through an anteromedial approach can expose posteromedial lesions of the talus and avoid a medial malleolar osteotomy [3].
- An approach to the posteromedial ankle through the posterior portion of the posterior tibial tendon sheath allows exposure of the talar dome and tibial articular surface while protecting posteromedial tendons, neurovascular structures, and deep posterior fibers of the deltoid ligament [3].
- If osteotomy of the medial malleolus is necessary, surgery on the medial side should be delayed until after closure of the physis [1].
Pathophysiology and Healing¶
- Retrograde percutaneous drilling through the sinus tarsi preserves intact articular cartilage in early lesions [3].
- Bone grafts are used in conjunction with retrograde drilling to prevent articular collapse due to the difficulty of adequately filling the contours of the lesion [3].
- Surgical-grade calcium sulfate in liquid form can be injected into the defect after drilling to promote healing [3].
- Bone-marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest, centrifuged to isolate pluripotent cells, and mixed with calcium graft has been used to promote more rapid healing [3].
- Fibrocartilaginous tissue fills in the defect in the subchondral crater during the postoperative period [1].
Classification¶
Radiographic Classifications¶
- Berndt and Harty published a four-part radiographic classification of osteochondral lesions of the talus in 1959 [4].
- In the Berndt and Harty classification, Stage I is described as a small subchondral trabecular compression fracture not seen radiographically [4].
- In the Berndt and Harty classification, Stage II is described as an incomplete avulsion or separation of the fragment [4].
- In the Berndt and Harty classification, Stage III is described as complete avulsion without displacement [4].
- In the Berndt and Harty classification, Stage IV is described as a fragment detached and rotated and possibly within the joint [4].
- The Berndt and Harty classification is based on radiographic criteria that may be difficult to interpret [4].
- The Berndt and Harty classification cannot distinguish a stage I lesion [4].
- Several authors modified the Berndt and Harty classification to include associated MRI findings [4].
Arthroscopic Classifications¶
- Pritsch et al. (1986) classified the cartilage overlying the lesion into three grades based on visual appearance [3].
- In the Pritsch et al. classification, Grade 1 indicates intact overlying cartilage [3].
- In the Pritsch et al. classification, Grade 2 indicates soft overlying cartilage [3].
- In the Pritsch et al. classification, Grade 3 indicates frayed overlying cartilage [3].
- Cheng et al. (1995) classified the lesion into six stages based on arthroscopic appearance [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 1 is smooth, intact but soft or ballotable [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 2 is a rough surface [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 3 is fibrillation/fissuring [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 4 is a flap present or bone exposed [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 5 is a loose, undisplaced fragment [3].
- In the Cheng et al. classification, Stage 6 is a displaced fragment [3].
- Pritsch and colleagues reported poor correlation between the radiographic appearance of the lesion and the state of the overlying cartilage [4].
- Treatment of osteochondral lesions was based on the visual appearance of the cartilage according to Pritsch and colleagues [4].
Imaging Assessment¶
- MRI allows identification of stage I lesions [4].
- MRI findings in stable osteochondral lesions include decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted images [4].
- MRI findings in stable osteochondral lesions include either low or increased signal on T2-weighted images [4].
- MRI may be most useful in assessment of stage II osteochondral lesions for evaluation of chondral and subchondral discontinuity indicating lesion instability [4].
- MRI may be most useful in assessment of stage II osteochondral lesions for evaluation of the presence of subchondral cysts [4].
- MRI may overestimate stability [4].
- A combination of MRI assessment and arthoscopic examination may be required to determine stability and treatment requirements [4].
- MRI or CT is the preferred imaging for complete evaluation of a suspected lesion [4].
- The continuity of cartilage and subchondral cortex can be assessed by MRI or CT as an indicator of stability [4].
- Lesion depth can be evaluated by MRI or CT [4].
- Subchondral cysts may be evaluated by MRI [4].
- Signal intensity patterns and cyst size may progress or regress over time [4].
- Signal intensity patterns and cyst size may be less reliable indicators of lesion stability than surface continuity [4].
- CT with 2-mm cuts in the coronal and axial planes determines whether the lesion is in the anterior third, middle third, or posterior third of the talar dome [3].
Clinical Presentation¶
- Osteochondral lesions of the talus are often difficult to determine as anterior, middle, or posterior on radiograph [1].
- Coronal CT scans locate the lesion whether it is anterior, middle, or posterior [1].
- Axial CT scans show the crater and fragments of the osteochondral lesion [1].
- A "floating" fragment in an osteochondral lesion is a loose fragment turned upside down in the crater [1].
- The subchondral bone in an osteochondral lesion is yellowish and hard [1].
- The fragment in an osteochondral lesion is often loose [1].
Investigations¶
- Coronal CT scans locate talar osteochondral lesions as anterior, middle, or posterior, a distinction that is often difficult to determine on radiograph [1].
- Axial CT scans demonstrate the crater and fragments of talar osteochondral lesions [1].
- The diagnosis of talar osteochondral lesions involves history, physical examination, and arthroscopy [2].
Treatment¶
Open Surgical Technique¶
- A longitudinal incision 7 cm long is made over the antero-medial aspect of the ankle, placed far enough medially to allow for medial malleolar osteotomy if necessary [1].
- The foot is plantarflexed as much as possible to visualize the lesion, and an osteotomy is usually necessary if the lesion is posterior [1].
- An osteotomy is made obliquely across the medial malleolus at the ankle joint level perpendicular to a predrilled hole for a cancellous screw [1].
- The medial malleolus is turned distally using a towel clip, and the ankle is everted to expose the medial and posterior aspects of the talar dome [1].
- The central necrotic area is removed with a small curet, and the crater and fragment are removed with copious irrigation [1].
- Four or five holes are made in the subchondral crater with a small drill to promote vascular ingrowth [1].
- The medial malleolar osteotomy is realigned and secured with a cancellous bone screw, with radiographs taken to check for anatomic alignment [1].
- Postoperatively, the patient wears a cast or patellar tendon-bearing brace for 6 to 8 weeks [1].
- The patient remains non-weight bearing for a total of 8 to 12 weeks while fibrocartilaginous tissue fills the defect [1].
Arthroscopic and Percutaneous Techniques¶
- Percutaneous arthroscopic drilling is recommended as an alternative to surgical excision for early stages, medial lesions, and lesions in children that have not healed [3].
- Arthroscopic drilling for medial osteochondral lesions does not require osteotomy of the medial malleolus or postoperative immobilization [3].
- Arthroscopic drilling allows for early resumption of daily activities and sports [3].
- The procedure is reported to be as effective and useful in young patients, especially those with open physes [3].
- A specific indication for arthroscopic drilling is an early lesion with mild osteosclerosis of the surrounding talar bone, continuity of the cartilaginous surface, and stability of the osteochondral fragment [3].
- Retrograde percutaneous drilling through the sinus tarsi preserves the intact articular cartilage [3].
- Bone grafts are used in conjunction with retrograde drilling to prevent articular collapse due to difficulty in filling the contours of the lesion [3].
- Surgical-grade calcium sulfate in liquid form has been injected into the defect after drilling [3].
- Bone-marrow aspirate harvested from the iliac crest, centrifuged to isolate pluripotent cells, has been mixed with calcium graft to promote more rapid healing [3].
- CT with 2-mm cuts in the coronal and axial planes determines whether the lesion is in the anterior, middle, or posterior third of the talar dome [3].
- Lateral lesions, even when in the middle or posterior third, usually can be approached anteriorly and removed without an osteotomy [3].
- An anteromedial approach for posteromedial lesions involves "grooving" the anteromedial distal tibial articular surface 6 to 8 mm to expose the lesion without osteotomy of the medial malleolus [3].
- A posteromedial arthrotomy through an anteromedial approach can be used to expose posteromedial lesions of the talus and avoid a medial malleolar osteotomy [3].
- An approach to the posteromedial ankle through the posterior portion of the posterior tibial tendon sheath allows exposure of the talar dome and tibial articular surface while protecting posteromedial tendons, neurovascular structures, and deep posterior deltoid ligament fibers [3].
- Patients undergoing medial malleolar osteotomy are immobilized in a walking boot for 6 weeks and then allowed weight bearing in a walking boot until 12 weeks after surgery [3].
- A patellar tendon-bearing brace is sometimes used after surgery to unload the ankle joint [3].
Classification Systems¶
- The Pritsch et al. (1986) classification includes stages for intact overlying cartilage, soft overlying cartilage, and frayed overlying cartilage [3].
- The Cheng et al. (1995) classification includes stages for smooth/intact but soft or ballotable cartilage, rough surface, fibrillation/fissuring, flap present or bone exposed, loose undisplaced fragment, and displaced fragment [3].
Complications¶
- Previous bone marrow stimulation may negatively affect clinical outcome in patients undergoing autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus [2].
- Arthroscopic quantification of syndesmotic instability is possible in a cadaveric model [2].
- The arthroscopic syndesmotic assessment tool can differentiate between stable and unstable ankle syndesmoses [2].
- Chronic tibiofibular syndesmosis injury has diagnostic efficacy with magnetic resonance imaging and comparative operative treatment options [2].
- Arthroscopic suture anchor repair of the lateral ligament ankle complex has been evaluated in a cadaveric study [2].
- Arthroscopic Brostrom repair with Gould augmentation via an accessory anterolateral port is a technique for lateral instability of the ankle [2].
- Arthroscopic anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle with gracilis autograft is a described technique [2].
- Arthroscopic-assisted lateral ligamentous reconstruction is used in combined ankle and subtalar instability [2].
- Arthroscopic treatment of chronic ankle instability has been evaluated in a prospective study of 286 patients [2].
- Activity level and function 2 years after anterior talofibular repair can be compared between arthroscopic repair and open repair procedures [2].
- Combination of modified Brostrom procedure with ankle arthroscopy is used for ankle instability accompanied by intra-articular symptoms [2].
- Open and arthroscopic lateral ligament repair for treatment of chronic ankle instability has been subject to a systematic review [2].
- Arthroscopic repair of chronic lateral ankle instability is a described procedure [2].
- Arthroscopic findings and long-term results are documented for chronic lateral instability [2].
References¶
[1] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PATELLOFEMORAL AND PATELLOTIBIAL LIGAMENTS WITH A SEMITENDINOSUS TENDON GRAFT > EXCISION OF OSTEOCHONDRAL FRAGMENT OF THE TALUS.
[2] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. ARTHROSCOPIC EXAMINATION AND DEBRIDEMENT OF THE ANKLE JOINT > OSTEochondral Lesions of the Talus.
[3] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. REPAIR OF ACUTE RUPTURE OF LATERAL LIGAMENTS > Classification Systems for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus > ARTHROSCOPY.
[4] Tachdjian S Pediatric Orthopaedics From The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital For Children E Book. Plate 35.2 Scapulocostal Stabilization for Scapular Winging (Ketenjian Technique) > Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus > Classification.
