Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
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Opening Hours
Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
What are osteochondral lesions of the talus?
Osteochondral lesions of the talus occur in the ankle when areas of cartilage on the talus do not heal properly. The cartilage may soften or break off, causing pain. These lesions result from damage to the talar cartilage.
The term “osteochondral” refers to both bone (“osteo”) and cartilage (“chondral”). The talus is one of the bones that form the ankle, and it is covered with cartilage where it connects to other bones. This cartilage cushions and protects the talus while allowing smooth ankle movement. If the ankle is injured, the cartilage can be damaged. When it does not heal properly, portions of the cartilage may soften or begin to break off. In some cases, pieces of cartilage can completely detach, forming loose bodies within the ankle. These loose bodies can interfere with ankle function and cause pain.
How do osteochondral lesions of the talus happen?
The most common cause of osteochondral lesions of the talus is a history of ankle trauma. Repeated or severe ankle sprains can prevent the talar cartilage from healing properly, leading to the development of osteochondral lesions.
What are the symptoms of osteochondral lesions of the talus?
The initial ankle injury may heal before any symptoms of osteochondral lesions appear. When symptoms do occur, they often develop gradually. Common symptoms may include:
- Persistent ankle pain, especially during activity
- Swelling around the ankle
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Catching, locking, or giving way of the ankle
- Difficulty bearing weight
What should I do if I have osteochondral lesions of the talus?
If you have, or suspect you have, osteochondral lesions of the talus, you should consult a physiotherapist, who can help reduce pain and swelling and guide rehabilitation of the ankle. In the meantime, you can apply ice to the ankle using a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a damp cloth for 15–20 minutes every 1–2 hours.
What shouldn’t I do if I have osteochondral lesions of the talus?
If you have, or suspect you have, osteochondral lesions of the talus, you should avoid putting weight on the affected ankle to allow it to heal. Activities that involve heavy weight-bearing, such as sports, should be avoided completely.
Physiotherapy treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus.
Physiotherapy can help reduce pain and swelling in the ankle during the initial stages of an osteochondral lesion. Once the acute symptoms are managed, treatment can focus on rehabilitation to restore normal ankle function. Physiotherapy may include:
- Range of motion exercises to restore ankle mobility
- Strengthening exercises for the muscles around the ankle
- Balance and proprioception training to improve stability
- Manual therapy to mobilise the joint and surrounding soft tissues
- Activity modification advice to prevent further injury
- Guidance on footwear and orthotics if required
Could there be any long-term effects from osteochondral lesions of the talus?
If no cartilage has broken off and physiotherapy advice is followed, a full recovery is typically achievable, with ankle function and normal activity levels restored. However, if cartilage has broken off, loose bodies are present in the ankle, or physiotherapy alone has not resolved the problem, surgery may be considered. The goal of surgery is to remove loose bodies or damaged cartilage, allowing the ankle to heal and rehabilitation to proceed effectively.
To arrange an appointment, please call +65 81535374 or visit acephysiosports.com.
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