Ankle Joint osteoarthritis /Talar Osteochondritis dessicans

50 yrs female with ankle Pain since few months. She is known case of OA Knee.

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Subarticular sclerosis along dome of talus on lateral aspect( red arrow)  and subarticular lytic area in the medial aspect.
Irreularity along superior aspect of the neck of talus.

Possibility of osteoarthritis of ankle joint is more likely and is probably secondary to OA Knee with produces undue strain on the ankle joint while walking.


Normal Ankle Joint of another patient for comparison

Etiology of Ankle OA:

• Post traumatic ( most common)- Traumatic ankle injuries that may result in OA include fractures of the malleoli, tibial plafond, talus, isolated osteochondral damage of the talar dome, and ankle ligament injury
• Primary OA, ie, OA with no history of trauma or any kind of secondary or infectious OA, in the ankle is rare.
• Secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and rarely due to hemochromatosis or hemophilia.
• Varus alignment may be a predisposing factor.

Ankle has high resistance cartilage cover and limited range of motions as compared to knee joint so risk of primary OA is less.