Complications of En Bloc Osteochondral Talar Allografts and Treatment of Failures: Literature Review and Case Report.

Abstract

Reoperation rates and complication rates can be high for patients receiving an osteochondral talar allograft transplant. Complications can include graft failure, delamination of the graft, arthrofibrosis, advancing osteoarthritis, nonunion of malleolar osteotomies, and partial or complete osteonecrosis of the talus. Graft failure refers to failure of graft incorporation with subsequent necrosis and subsidence. Treatment options for talar graft failure are limited, and outcomes for these treatments have rarely been reported. We present a review of the published data on the complications and treatments for failed talar allograft transplantation. A case report is presented on a young woman who experienced graft failure and osteonecrosis of her talar allograft transplant. Because of the size of the present osteonecrosis, an ankle arthrodesis was performed as the initial revision procedure. Talar necrosis was removed and revascularized from the ankle fusion with solid fusion was confirmed with computed tomography. Symptomatic adjacent joint pain quickly developed in the hindfoot after the ankle fusion, and 12 months later an ankle fusion conversion to total ankle arthroplasty was performed. The patient has returned to normal activity with significant reduction in pain at most recent follow-up visit. This patient was followed for 7 years from initial osteochondral talar allograft transplantation and for 2 years from conversion of ankle fusion to total ankle arthroplasty. It is important to understand the techniques, indications, and outcomes for the various revision options for talar allograft failure. This case report illustrates how multiple revision options can be used to provide the best outcome for the patient.