Percutaneous reduction and screw fixation of fracture neck talus

Abstract

Background: Fracture neck talus is a rare fracture represents about 1% of all fractures and usually due to high energy trauma. These fractures are usually associated with compromised soft tissues, concomitant skeletal fractures, or life threatening injuries. Talus has a tenuous blood supply which is affected by fracture displacement. Urgent fracture reduction±fracture fixation is mandatory. The associated injuries may make the conventional open reduction and internal fixation is impossible to be done in urgent base as it may impacts the already tenuous blood supply of talus increasing the risk of AVN and non union. Percutaneous fracture reduction and fixation can overcome this problem, and decrease complications associated with conventional open reduction and internal fixation.

Materials and methods: Between 2006 and 2008, 16 patients with talar neck fractures were operated on by percutaneous reduction of fracture and percutaneous fixation with 3.5mm cannulated screws. Injuries were classified according to modified Hawkins classification system. Patients were followed up over an average of 48 months.

Results: 87.5% of the patients were satisfied and resumed their preoperative activities. The mean AOFAS Hind Foot Scale was 89.25 points (range: 74-100) and no poor outcomes.

Conclusion: Although the number of patients in this study is small, the results showed that, percutaneous reduction and fixation is a good treatment modality in treatment of fracture neck talus, especially in cases with increased risk of soft tissue complications and open reduction should be resort only when percutaneous reduction was failed.