Midterm clinical results of osteochondral autograft transplantation for advanced stage Freiberg disease

We aimed to evaluate the midterm clinical results of osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT) for advanced stage Freiberg disease.

This study included consecutive patients who underwent OAT for advanced stage Freiberg disease and were followed postoperatively for more than five years. In all cases, the autograft was harvested from the ipsilateral knee joint. Clinical evaluation was performed based on the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Lesser Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score, which were done pre-operatively and at the most recent follow-up. Radiological evaluation was performed at two years after the operation. Furthermore, the most recent six patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) five years after the operation to assess the configuration of the articular surface.

A total of 13 patients (all female; mean age 16.7 years; range 10–38 years) were included and followed up for a mean duration of 67.2 months (range 60–100 months). The mean AOFAS significantly improved from a score of 66.9 ± 5.3 (range 59–77) to 93.0 ± 7.6 (range 82–100) (p < 0.0001). Likewise, the mean VAS significantly improved from a score of 72.7 ± 10.3 (range 60–90) to 7.8 ± 7.2 (range 0–20) (p < 0.0001). Radiographs at two years after the operation revealed no osteoarthritic change in all cases. MRI at five years after the operation showed consolidation of the transplanted autograft and smooth configuration of the articular surface in the six cases.

OAT may be effective for advanced stage Freiberg disease. Further studies are necessary before this technique can become the standard operative treatment.