Correlation between EFAS- and MOCART score and clinical outcome after AMIC®-procedure for osteochondral lesion of the talus.

INTRODUCTION: Even though an increased interest in the use of the EFAS Score (European Foot and Ankle Society) has been observed, no data comparing it with radiological findings has been presented in the literature. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to investigate how the post-operative integration of the AMIC® (autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis)-membrane for osteochondral lesion of the talus using the MOCART (Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue) - Score is related to the clinical satisfaction of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 24 patients aged between 17 and 63 (with a mean age of 35.7) were included at least 1 year post-operatively. They had all undergone an AMIC®-procedure of the talus. MRI findings using the MOCART Score were correlated to the EFAS Score at the same time point. RESULTS: Our main results showed no correlation between the MOCART-Score and the EFAS-Score (R = - 0.08). There was also no correlation between the MOCART-Score, the FFI-Score (Foot and Function Index) (R = 0.2) and the MOXFQ-Score (Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire) (R = 0.12). There was no correlation between components of the MOCART-Score with the EFAS-Score (R between - 0.32 and 0.23). CONCLUSION: Our results question whether the MRI (a standard part of AMIC®-procedure-of-the-ankle post-operative follow-up) is still the most appropriate tool for post-operative control. They also offer a starting point for future discussion regarding the need for post-operative MRI and the use of other radiological diagnostics in relation to clinical satisfaction.

Evaluation of the new defined EFAS score (European foot and ankle society score) in relation to already established functional scores (FFI, MOXFQ) after cartilage reconstructive therapy (AMIC®) for osteochondral lesion of the talus.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, the European Foot and Ankle Society developed a Score (EFAS Score) to generate a standardized questionnaire for several European languages. The aim of this study is to analyse how the newly defined score correlates with already established function scores. METHODS: This study is a monocentric prospective study. The questionnaires were completed at least 12 months postoperatively at the same time point. All patients had undergone surgery with the Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis® procedure for osteochondral lesions of the talus. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients (33 women, 36 men) participated in the study. The EFAS Score correlates very strongly with the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and strongly with the Foot Function Index (FFI). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the EFAS Score correlates significantly with the FFI and the MOXFQ. The EFAS seems to be a more patient-friendly alternative due to fewer questions and response choices.