Surgically treated talar fractures. A retrospective study of 50 patients.
BACKGROUND
Talar fractures are associated with a high incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN), osteoarthritis (OA) and malunion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications, the functional outcome, and the need for secondary surgery following surgically treated talar fractures.


METHODS
Fifty patients with 52 talar fractures were included in the study. The health related quality of life was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS). The ankle function was scored using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. OA and AVN were evaluated on plain radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans.


RESULTS
VAS score was 69±18 (mean±SD) and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 73±17 (mean±SD). OA was seen in 98% and AVN in 65% of the talar bones. Secondary surgery had been performed in 38% of the feet.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term complications were commonly seen after talar fractures and had a significant impact on daily life activities and quality of life. The need for secondary surgery was high. Prolonged follow-up is necessary to detect long-term complications, and the patients should be offered a low threshold for recontact.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: ingrid.k.stake@gmail.com.
Ingrid Kvello
IK
Stake
Department of Orthopaedics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway.
Jan Erik
JE
Madsen
Department of Orthopaedics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway.
Kjetil
K
Hvaal
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway.
Elena
E
Johnsen
Department of Orthopaedics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway.
Elisabeth Ellingsen
EE
Husebye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013628:Talus / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score; Avascular necrosis; Complication; Functional outcome; Osteoarthritis; Talar fracture; Visual analogue scale