A 21-Year-Old Male with Persistent Ankle Pain Following Trauma

Differential Diagnosis

• Cyst formation
• Fracture/crack of the talus
• Ligament damage
• Osteochondral lesion
• Synovitis

Diagnosis
There is a thin curvilinear lucency along the lateral corner of talar dome. The patient has an osteochondral lesion (OCL).

Learnings

• OCL are focal areas of cartilage damage and injury of the adjacent subchondral bone
• OCL can occur after a single traumatic injury or as a result of repeated trauma. Common symptoms include prolonged pain, swelling, catching and/or instability of the ankle joint
• Persistent ankle pain despite appropriate treatment after several months may raise concern for an OCL