Pitfalls in the treatment of fractures of the ankle and talus

Displaced fractures of the ankle are a common component of current orthopaedic practice, whereas displaced fractures of the talus are unusual. Ankle fractures generally are produced by indirectly applied, relatively low energy forces, whereas talus fractures are created by higher energy axial loading. Despite these inherent differences, the end result of either injury can be avascular necrosis, posttraumatic arthritis, or soft tissue loss. Complications and poor results can arise from the inherent characteristics of the injury, from failure to accomplish appropriate treatment objectives, from overzealous treatment goals, or from overlooking subtle clinical or radiographic signs. The goal of the current study is to provide a method of evaluating the characteristics of these injuries to optimize functional outcomes and avoid morbidity.