Clinical outcome of fractures of the talar body

Fractures of the talar body present a great challenge to surgeons due to their rarity and high incidence of sequelae. This study reports the medium-term results of displaced fractures of the talar body treated by internal fixation. Nineteen patients (13 M, 6 F, mean age 31) with talar body fractures were studied retrospectively to assess outcome after operative treatment. The fractures were classified as coronal (11), sagittal (6) and crush fractures (2). Six patients sustained open fractures and two had associated talar neck fractures. Average follow-up was 26 months (range: 18-43). Clinical outcome based on American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scoring was excellent function in four patients, good in six, fair in four and poor in five. Early complications included two superficial wound infections, one partial wound dehiscence, one instance of skin necrosis and one deep infection. Other complications included delayed union in one, avascular necrosis in seven and malunion in one patient. Talar injuries are serious because they can compromise motion of the foot and ankle and result in severe disability. Crush fractures of the talar body and those associated with open injuries and talar neck fractures are associated with a less favourable outcome.