Results of surgically treated talar fractures

Talar fractures present a great challenge to surgeons due to poor treatment outcome and high incidence of sequelae. The purpose of this study was to report the surgical treatment outcome of displaced talar fractures treated by internal fixation.

A total of 30 patients with a mean age of 38 years presenting with talar body or neck fractures were studied retrospectively to assess postoperative outcome based on American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot scale.

Postoperatively, malunion was found in 18 cases, infection in 5 cases and avascular necrosis in 12 cases. There were 12 cases with subtalar arthritis and 18 cases with both subtalar and malleolar arthritis. The average score of questionnaire was 64+/-12. Functional score was 53+/-15 and pain score was 65+/-13. Range of motion failure was detected as 15+/-4.

Talar injuries can compromise motion of the foot and ankle and result in poor prognosis on long-term evaluation. Late complications subsequent to surgically treated talar body fractures are inevitable, and patients are supposed to be counseled about the adverse outcome.