INTRODUCTION​

• A talar osteochondral lesion (OLT) is a relatively common finding 

• It is characterized by an injury of the bone under a piece of cartilage in the talus bone of the ankle joint

•  OLTs are at risk of becoming unstable and dislodging into the joint if not treated properly

• 10% of OLTs are bilateral, found on both ankles

CAUSES​

• Common OLT causes include trauma especially ankle fractures or sprains, blood supply problems, genetics, and possibly overuse or microtrauma

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Pain and/or swelling in the ankle 

• Oftentimes associated with mechanical symptoms like catching and popping

• Pain is usually worse after activity but can also be present at rest

TREATMENT​​

• Treatment of OLT is dependent on multiple factors including patient age, size of lesion, and whether the OLT is stable or unstable

• For small, stable OLTs, treatment is often conservative as there is a higher likelihood of healing. Treatment consists of rest, avoiding repetitive jumping or load bearing, bracing or casting

• For larger, unstable OLTs, surgery is often recommended and consists of multiple options such as drilling to stimulate bone healing, OLT osteochondral grafting, or cartilage reconstruction procedures. 

PREVENTION  ​​

• The best way to prevent this condition from becoming unstable is to rest and avoid repetitive activities that overload the ankle