Chondral and osteochondral lesions of the talus associated with capsuloligamentous lesions of the ankle joint.

The author reports 46 cases of chondral and osteochondral lesion of the talus observed in 256 patients treated surgically between 1974 and 1986 for capsulo-ligamentous lesions of the ankle joint. Four cases were observed in the 18 patients operated for pure lesion of the medial collateral ligament; the remaining 42 cases in the 238 patients operated for lesions of the lateral ligaments. The lesions observed, which were substantially symmetrical in the two sides of the talus, were: cartilage contusion: 20 cases; cartilage chapping: 13 cases; osteochondral fracture with no fragment displacement: 6 cases; osteochondral detachment with loosening of the detached fragment: 7 cases. The author emphasizes the problem of the frequency of lesions of the talus associated with capsulo-ligamentous lesions of the ankle joint (18% in his experience), and that of the site of osteochondral lesions on the lateral side of the trochlea. Finally, the author lists the reasons for which it is his belief that it is essential to know whether or not a capsulo-ligamentous lesion of the ankle joint is associated with osteocartilaginous lesions of the talus.