Comparison of Bone Marrow Stimulation and Particulated Autologous Cartilage Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus With a 2-Year Follow-up

Background: Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are a common cause of disability and chronic ankle pain. Many surgical treatment methods are currently used to treat OLTs, including particulated autologous cartilage transplantation (PACT). Nonetheless, the relative outcomes of PACT for OLTs are unclear. Purpose: To compare the short-term efficacy of bone marrow stimulation (BMS) and PACT in patients with OLTs. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Consecutive symptomatic patients with OLT who underwent BMS or PACT from March 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively evaluated for at least 2 years. Preoperative radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in all patients. Follow-up second-look arthroscopy and MRI were performed approximately 1 year postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the pain visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). The quality of regenerated cartilage was evaluated using Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scores and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grades and scores. Continuous variables were compared using independent t tests. A P value