Autologous osteochondral transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the talus: high rate of return to play in the athletic population

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Abstract
Purpose: (1) To determine the rate of return to play following autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) and (2) report subsequent rehabilitation protocols.Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library databases was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines based on specific eligibility criteria. Return to play data was meta‐analysed and subsequent rehabilitation protocols were summarised. Level of evidence and quality of evidence (Zaman’s criteria) were also evaluated.Results: Nine studies that totalled 205 ankles were included for review. The mean follow‐up was 44.4 ± 25.0 (range 16–84) months. The mean OLT size was 135.4 ± 56.4 mm2. The mean time to return to play was 5.8 ± 2.6 months. The mean rate of return to play was 86.3% (range 50–95.2%), with 81.8% of athletes returning to pre‐injury status. Based on the fixed‐effect model, the rate of return to play was 84.07%. Significant correlation was found between increase age and decrease rate of return to play (R2 = 0.362, p = 0.00056). There was no correlation between OLT sizes and rate of return to play (R2 = 0.140, p = 0.023). The most common time to ankle motion post‐surgery was immediately and the most common time to full weight‐bearing was 12 weeks.Conclusions: This systematic review indicated a high rate of return to play following AOT in the athletic population. Size of OLT was not found to be a predictor of return to play, whereas advancing age was a predictor. Rehabilitation protocols were largely inconsistent and were primarily based on individual surgeon protocols. However, the included studies were of low level and quality of evidence.Level of evidence: Level IV.

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