Arthroscopic-assisted reduction plus internal fixation and traditional open reduction plus internal fixation for talus fractures: a comparative study

To explore the efficacy of arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) and traditional open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of talus fractures.

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 92 patients with talus fractures admitted to our hospital. The patients were divided into a control group (treated with traditional open reduction and internal fixation) and a research group (with ARIF) with 46 cases in each. The operation indices, the score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scoring System (AOFAS-AH), callus growth score, pain score, treatment effect, complications and quality of life score were compared between the two groups.

The research group showed shorter time of fracture healing, hospitalization and less intraoperative blood loss than the control group (all P<0.001). The ankle-hindfoot score in the research group was higher than those in the control group 3 and 6 months after surgery (both P<0.001). The excellent and good rate of treatment in the research group (93.48%) was higher than that in the control group (78.26%; P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the VAS score was lower and the callus growth score was higher in the research group at 1^st, 3^rd and 6^th month after surgery (all P<0.01). The incidence of complications in the research group (2.17%) was lower than that in the control group (13.04%; P<0.05). Six months after surgery, the SF-36 score increased compared with that before surgery, with higher parameters in the research group than in the control group (P<0.001).

ARIF is more effective than traditional open reduction and internal fixation in treating talus fractures, with less complications and higher safety.