title: Avascular necrosis of the talus treated by core decompression.
abstract: We reviewed 11 patients (17 ankles) who had had core decompression for symptomatic avascular necrosis of the talus before collapse. The Mazur grading system was used to assess function preoperatively and at final follow-up, and radiographs were graded according to the Ficat and Arlet (1980) classification modified for the ankle. At a mean follow-up of seven years (2 to 14) 14 ankles (82%) had an excellent or good outcome (Mazur scores > 80 points; pain scores > 40 points (41 to 50). The other three ankles required tibiotalar fusion at a mean of 13 months (5 to 20) after core decompression. We conclude that core decompression is a viable method of treatment for symptomatic avascular necrosis of the talus before collapse.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland 21239, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mont
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Schon
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hungerford
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hungerford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013628:Talus; D016896:Treatment Outcome