Surgical Treatment of Talar Neck Fractures

Abstract

Background:

Consideration of gravity of talar neck fractures and evaluation of the treatment results.

Patients and Methods:

22 patients suffering from talar neck fractures were retrospectively reviewed. There were ten type A, six type B, three type C, and three type D fractures according to the Hawkins classification modified by Canale & Kelly. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation.

Results:

Excellent clinical results were observed in 45.4%, good in 27.2%, fair in 18.1%, and poor in 9.1% of the patients according to the Iowa Ankle Evaluation score. Two patients developed avascular necrosis (AVN) with body collapse, and tibiotalar fusion was required. Furthermore, five patients developed symptomatic subtalar arthritis but did not require subtalar fusion.

Conclusion:

Accurate early open reduction is considered the treatment of choice for such types of fractures. AVN is associated with late management, while subtalar arthritis does not necessarily lead to subtalar fusion.