title: Plate fixation of talar neck fractures: preliminary review of a new technique in twenty-three patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an unreported technique of fixation for talar neck fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review and telephone interview of patients with fractures of the talar neck (OTA 72-A1.2, 72-A1.3, 72-C2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Level-one trauma center with six trauma surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients treated with minifragment plates over a four-year period. Follow-up intervals were an average of twenty months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Talar neck fractures were stabilized with one or two 2.0 or 2.4 plates, with additional 2.0, 2.7, or 3.5 lag screws when necessary. Most fractures were approached through medial and lateral incisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Union rates, pain, and incidence of complications. Functional outcome will be best determined by a further review with longer follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mini fragment plates were placed on the side with the most comminution, and all wounds and fractures healed uneventfully. Four patients underwent hardware removal. Two patients developed a mild extension malunion, but there was no evidence of varus malunion, as measured on Canale views.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial review suggests that plate fixation of comminuted talar neck fractures is a successful technique, with low rates of complications compared with those discussed in the literature. A further review in a few years will allow functional assessment studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Montfort Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Fleuriau Chateau
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Brokaw
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Jelen
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Scheid
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013628:Talus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*