Patient-Reported Outcomes After Lateral Process Talus Fracture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Traumatology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Lateral process talus fractures are uncommon injuries.
• Understanding functional outcomes and prognostic factors is crucial for optimal patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess functional outcomes in patients with lateral process talus fractures using patient-reported measures.
• To identify injury characteristics associated with poorer prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 53 patients with isolated lateral process talus fractures.
• Utilized Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).
• Minimum 12-month follow-up at a Level 1 academic trauma center.

Main Results:

• 67% of nonoperatively treated patients failed conservative management, often with displaced fractures.
• Operative fixation was used for 32 patients with displaced fractures.
• No significant difference in final PROMIS PF or FAAM scores between operative and nonoperative groups.
• Nonoperative treatment resulted in significantly more subtalar fusions (4 vs. 1).

Conclusions:

• Lateral process talus fractures generally yield excellent functional outcomes at medium-term follow-up.
• Early surgical intervention is recommended for displaced fractures.
• Surgical treatment is associated with a lower rate of subtalar fusion compared to nonoperative management.