A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect on Patient Outcomes of Weight Bearing Status After Forage of Osteochondral Defects of the Ankle
The rationale for this research study is to evaluate the effect on clinical outcomes of weight bearing as tolerated after forage surgery for the treatment of osteochondral defects of the ankle, thus potentially eliminating the need for a period of immobilisation or non-weight bearing after surgery. The investigators hypothesize that their will be no difference in functional outcomes between weight bearing as tolerated as compared to non-weight bearing for six weeks after forage surgery for OCD of the ankle.
• Patients aged 16-60 years
• No prior ankle surgery
• Able and willing to comply with follow-up
• Capable of provide informed consent
• Medically fit for surgery
• Lesions on preoperative CT Scan \< 1.5cm
• Symptomatic (ie:pain, restricted activities, inability to WB, decreased ROM)
• Single Isolated lesion
• Failure of conservative treatment (3 months of limited activities and/or weight bearing and/or immobilization)