Complications after talus fractures: A trauma centre experience. 2023

Akhilesh Pradhan, and Ali Najefi, and Amit Patel, and Alexandros Vris, and Nima Heidari, and Francesc Malagelada, and Lee Parker, and Lucky Jeyaseelan
Foot and Ankle Unit, Bone & Joint Health, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1FR. Electronic address: akhilesh.pradhan@nhs.net.

BACKGROUND Talus fractures are anatomically complex, high-energy injuries that can be associated with poor outcomes and high complication rates. Complications include non-union, avascular necrosis (AVN) and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of these injuries in a large series. METHODS We retrospectively collected data on 100 consecutive patients presenting to a single high volume major trauma centre with a talus fracture between March 2012 and March 2020. All patients were over the age of 18 with a minimum of 12 months follow up post injury. Retrospective review of case notes and imaging was conducted to collate demographic data and to classify fracture morphology. Whether patients were managed non-operatively or operatively was noted and where used, the type of operative fixation, outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS The mean age was 35 years (range: 18-76 years). Open injuries accounted for 22% of patients. An isolated talar body fracture was the most frequent fracture (47%), followed by neck fractures (20%). The overall non-union rate was 2% with both cases occurring in patients with open fractures. The AVN rate was 6%, with the highest prevalence in talar neck fractures. Overall rates of post-traumatic OA of the tibio-talar, sub-talar and talo-navicular joints were 12%, 8%, and 6%, respectively. These were higher after a joint dislocation, and higher in neck or head fractures. The postoperative infection rate was 6%. The overall secondary surgery rate was 9%. There were 2% of patients who subsequently underwent a joint arthrodesis. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that talar body fractures are more common than previously reported; however, talar neck fractures cause the highest rates of AVN and post-traumatic arthritis. Open fractures also carry a greater risk of complications. This information is useful during consenting and preoperatively when planning these cases to ensure adverse outcomes may be anticipated.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010020 Osteonecrosis Death of a bone or part of a bone, either atraumatic or posttraumatic. Aseptic Necrosis of Bone,Avascular Necrosis of Bone,Kienbock Disease,Necrosis, Aseptic, of Bone,Necrosis, Avascular, of Bone,Bone Necrosis,Kienbock's Disease,Kienboeck Disease,Kienboeck's Disease,Bone Aseptic Necrosis,Bone Avascular Necrosis,Bone Necroses,Kienboecks Disease,Necroses, Bone,Necrosis, Bone,Osteonecroses
D005593 Fracture Fixation, Internal The use of internal devices (metal plates, nails, rods, etc.) to hold the position of a fracture in proper alignment. Osteosynthesis, Fracture,Fixation, Internal Fracture,Fixations, Internal Fracture,Fracture Fixations, Internal,Fracture Osteosyntheses,Fracture Osteosynthesis,Internal Fracture Fixation,Internal Fracture Fixations,Osteosyntheses, Fracture
D005597 Fractures, Open Fractures in which there is an external wound communicating with the break of the bone. Fractures, Compound,Compound Fracture,Compound Fractures,Fracture, Compound,Fracture, Open,Open Fracture,Open Fractures
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D013628 Talus The second largest of the TARSAL BONES. It articulates with the TIBIA and FIBULA to form the ANKLE JOINT. Astragalus Bone,Os Trigonum,Astragalus Bones,Bone, Astragalus,Bones, Astragalus
D014193 Trauma Centers Specialized hospital facilities which provide diagnostic and therapeutic services for trauma patients. Trauma Units,Center, Trauma,Centers, Trauma,Trauma Center,Trauma Unit,Unit, Trauma,Units, Trauma
D050723 Fractures, Bone Breaks in bones. Bone Fractures,Broken Bones,Spiral Fractures,Torsion Fractures,Bone Fracture,Bone, Broken,Bones, Broken,Broken Bone,Fracture, Bone,Fracture, Spiral,Fracture, Torsion,Fractures, Spiral,Fractures, Torsion,Spiral Fracture,Torsion Fracture

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