Functional results after operative treatment of talus fractures

Abstract

Fractures of the talus do not occur frequently, accounting for about 0.1% of all fractures. Failure to achieve anatomic reduction, exponentially increases the risk of postoperative aseptic osteonecrosis and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the short-term and medium-term functional outcomes in patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of talus fractures. Materials and methods: At the University Clinic for Traumatology in the period between 2017 to 2020, 14 patients with talus fractures were surgically treated. The inclusion and exclusion factors were determined, all patients signed the consent and the study passed the ethics committee. Results: All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with screws or reconstructive plate. Follow-up was done on the 14th postoperative day, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month. At the 6th month follow-up, the functional outcome was tested using the Kitaoka score unified by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society. This injury is too rare for conclusions to be brought out of and to be compared to larger studies. However, all major studies from reference trauma centers lead to the same conclusions, that the treatment of these fractures is complex Anatomical reduction is mandatory for a better outcome. Conclusion: A protocol for the treatment of posttraumatic osteoarthritis should be introduced, given the high rate of its occurrence despite the satisfactory surgical technique.