Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of surgically treated Talus Fractures: A Cross-sectional Study of 38 patients in Iran

Abstract

Talus fracture is often associated with debilitating complications, including osteonecrosis, non-union, malunion, and osteoarthritis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of different types of surgically treated talus fractures and factors affecting outcomes. A total of 38 patients with talus fractures from April 2014 to April 2019 were included. Radiological evaluations, including standard ankle radiographs and ankle CT scans, were performed pre-and post-operatively to assess union, malunion, osteonecrosis, and osteoarthritis of adjacent joints. Functional evaluation was performed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) questionnaires. Talar fractures included talar neck (52.6%), talar body (28.9%), body fractures extend to neck (15.7%), lateral and posterior process fracture (2.6%). Osteoarthritis was the most common complication (52.6%), followed by osteonecrosis (47.3%). The mean AOFAS, MOXFQ, and VAS scores were 60.3 (SD=+/-18.6), 67.6 (SD=+/-20.7), and 4.9 (SD=+/-2.1), respectively. There was no significant difference in VAS, MOXFQ, and AOFAS scores between different types of talar fractures (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between the time of surgery and the rate of osteonecrosis (p > 0.05). In conclusion, talus fracture was associated with many complications that adversely affected the clinical outcome of the patients. Delay in surgical fixation did not appear to affect the outcome or prevalence of osteonecrosis. Level of Clinical Evidence (LOCE):4