A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of BioCartilage® Micronized Cartilage Matrix in Microfracture Treatment of Osteochondral Defects

The study was designed by the principal investigator, Dr. Andrea Veljkovic, and the St. Paul's Hospital Foot and Ankle Research Group, who will conduct the study. The study is being funded by Arthrex, Inc., the manufacturer of the Health Canada approved BioCartilage® Micronized Cartilage Matrix. The purpose of this study is to assess whether adding BioCartilage® to microfracture treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus improves osteochondral healing as well as improving pain and function. Efficacy will be assessed primarily by outcomes scores as measure by the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) at the baseline and at multiple post-op followup visits. Additional outcomes scores will also be administered to compare general health and foot function between the two groups at baseline and at multiple post-op followup visits. X-rays and MRI will be used to assess the osteochondral healing rate.