What is a Talar Dome Lesion?
A Talar Dome Lesion occurs when the ankle bone and cartilage covering it fail to heal properly following injury. This is also known as an Osteochondral Lesion.
Depending on the severity of your Talar Dome Lesion, your cartilage and bone may begin to soften and break off inside your ankle, but signs and symptoms will probably not be obvious for several months or even up to a year. Some Talar Dome Lesions will not cause any cartilage and bone to break off and may be more of a “bruise”.
The name “Talar Dome Lesion” comes from the dome-like shape of the upper portion of the talus (ankle) bone.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a Talar Dome Lesion include the following:
- Pain deep within the ankle (worsens with physical activity, lessens while at rest)
- Clicking sensation within the ankle
- Instability of the ankle
- Swelling of the ankle area
Causes
A Talar Dome Lesion is usually caused by one of the following:
- An ankle injury, like a sprain, that didn’t heal properly
- Landing on the ankle from a height
- A car accident
Treatments
RICE – Resting the ankle will help you avoid further damage to the talus and surrounding cartilage. Applying ice will help bring down swelling and relieve your pain. Compression on the ankle will further help in controlling the swelling. If you have any internal inflammation, elevating your ankle will help eliminate this.
NSAIDs – For a particularly painful Talar Dome Lesion, taking medications like Advil and Aleve will do a great job of relieving pain and swelling. Just make sure you limit NSAIDs to times when you’re off your feet. Using painkillers when you’re active can lead to further injury.
Physiotherapy – Exercises to strengthen your ankle and improve range of motion can contribute to much faster recovery. Your physiotherapist may also use blood flow stimulation, taping, and other methods.
Surgery – Surgery is not required to get rid of most Talar Dome Lesions. However, if conservative treatments do not improve your condition, surgery is an option to consider. Surgery for a Talar Dome Lesion may involve the loose bone and cartilage fragments being removed from your ankle joint.