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Ankle Osteochondral Lesions

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Football Traumatology

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Abstract

Osteochondral lesion (OCL) of the ankle joint is an injury involving the chondral layer and, secondarily, the subchondral bone, usually traumatic in etiology. The sprains and the mechanism of action may strongly influence the OCL pattern and the subsequent prognosis. OCL is frequently symptomatic, causing a mild persistent pain in chronic lesions. MRI is the most reliable diagnostic tool for preoperative evaluation. Athletes require effective treatments for OCL, with a rapid sport comeback and durable chondral restoration. This aim can be achieved only through regenerative techniques. These procedures, due to biological reasons, need longer time to heal. Although clear guidelines for OCL in athletes do not exist, Giannini’s classification (TAB 1), relying on the area and the depth of the lesion, could be successfully proposed. Conservative treatment should be suggested only in very small, not painful OCL. Debridement in small acute OCL and fixation in larger defects are two effective procedures. Microfractures could be advised in symptomatic, small chronic OCL (1,5–2 cm2). Larger chronic lesions may pose a serious challenge: microfractures may not achieve long-term, satisfying results. If regenerative techniques are suggested, athletes should be clearly warned of the longer times needed for rehabilitation after such procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Sandro Giannini & Roberto Buda

  2. I Clinic, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

    Sandro Giannini, Roberto Buda, Laura Ramponi MD, Francesco Castagnini MD, Silvio Caravelli MD, Giuseppe Gianluca Costa MD & Francesca Vannini MD

Authors
  1. Sandro Giannini
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  2. Roberto Buda
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  3. Laura Ramponi MD
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  4. Francesco Castagnini MD
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  5. Silvio Caravelli MD
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  6. Giuseppe Gianluca Costa MD
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  7. Francesca Vannini MD
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Correspondence to Sandro Giannini .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Knee Orthopaedics and Sport Traumatology Unit, Humanitas Research-IRCCS, Milan, Italy

    Piero Volpi

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Giannini, S. et al. (2015). Ankle Osteochondral Lesions. In: Volpi, P. (eds) Football Traumatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18245-2_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18245-2_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18244-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18245-2

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