Fractures of the neck of the talus

ABSTRACT

In this work the results of treatment of 12 cases with fractures of the neck of the talus were presented. 10 cases were males and 2 cases were females. The age average was 24 years [range 18 to 42 years]. 7 cases developed their fracture as a result of fall from height and 5 cases due to motor vehicle accident. In this series the classification proposed by Hawkins in 1970 was followed. There were 4 cases of the type I fractures, 7 cases of type II fractures and only one case of type III fractures. All cases with type I fractures were treated by closed method, while open reduction and rigid internal fixation was done for all cases with type II fractures, talectomy and tibiocalcaneal fusion was done to the single case of the type III fractures due to extensive infection and sequestration. All cases were followed up for an average period of 24.5 months [range 16 to 36 months]. Union of the fracture occurred in all cases of this series. Two cases of type II fractures developed of type I fracture. It is believed that type I talar neck fractures could be successfully treated with closed means, while open reduction and rigid internal fixation can give better results with type II and type III talar neck fractures