Advancing Talus Repair: OFAC’s CartiMax Study Results

The Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center Reports Excellent Outcomes Using CartiMax for Talus Osteochondral Defects

The Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center (OFAC) has announced the successful completion of a prospective, IRB-approved clinical study demonstrating excellent outcomes using CartiMax for the treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus. The results of this study will be presented at the upcoming American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) meeting.

About the Study

The study enrolled 10 patients, all of whom experienced significant improvement in joint function, pain reduction, and radiographic healing following the procedure.

Conducted by the foot and ankle specialists at OFAC, the study evaluated the performance of CartiMax, an advanced cartilage repair scaffold engineered to regenerate both cartilage and subchondral bone. This area of the body has historically been difficult to treat due to its complex anatomy and limited blood supply.

“All 10 patients achieved outstanding clinical and radiographic results,” said Steven Neufeld, MD, lead author of the study. “This study reinforces the potential of CartiMax as a highly effective solution for talar osteochondral defects, which have traditionally posed significant treatment challenges.”

Key Results

• 100% success rate with no intraoperative complications or graft failures.

• Significant improvement in clinical outcomes, including pain scores (VAS) and functional scores (AOFAS) by 6 months post-op.

• Radiographic evidence of full defect fill and integration of scaffold material in all patients.

• No need for revision surgery during the follow-up period.

Looking Ahead

The team at OFAC plans to build on these findings with a larger cohort study and continued follow-up. The results mark a promising advance in biologic repair solutions for foot and ankle conditions.