[Primary and secondary arthrodeses following talus fractures]

In 18 cases out of 55 patients, who had been operated on talus fractures in our clinic, a primary or secondary arthrodesis of one or both adjacent joints had been necessary. We carried out a follow-up examination on those 18 patients. In 4 cases a primary or early secondary arthrodesis had been performed; the attempt to reconstruct the joint surfaces after the trauma would have been not promising. The indication of the secondary arthrodesis in the 14 patients is discussed. In all the patients there had been a bony healing of the arthrodesis in an adequate time, the gait pattern of the patients had been improved and they complained less pain. We conclude that in case of a not solvable complication after talus fracture like destroyed joint surfaces, secondary severe arthritis or bone necrosis early secondary arthrodesis should be considered as a measurement to avoid long periods of insufficient conservative treatment.