A treatment for the Fracture-Dislocation of the Talus

Hwang, Sung Kwan; Yoo, Kwang Jong

Abstract

Fractures of the talus are uncommon injuries. Because of the unique blood supply and biomechanical features. the complication of the displaced fractures are frequent and long term disabilities are so severe that the importance of proper treatment is emphasized. A clinicaT evaluation of 25 patients with fracture of the talus has been made from January, 1985 to December, 1994 and followed them more than 12 months for each. The result were as follows; 1. There are 20 men and 5 women and the average age was 31.2 years. 2. The common causes of fracture were traffic accidents in 13 cases(52%) and fall from height in 9 cases(32%). 3. According to the classification by Hawkins, four of the fractures were included in type I, eight in type II, six in type III, one in type IV and six in body and process. 4. All 4 cases in type I. 1 case in type II and 4 cases in body and process fractures were treated conservatively, 7 cases in type II, 6 cases in type III, 1 case in type IV and 2 cases in body and process fractures were treated operatively. 5. According to the Hawkins criteria, final result were as follows; excellent in 10 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 5 cases, poor in 3 cases. 6. Among the operatively treated type II, III, IV, delayed operations wrre performed in type II(2 cases). type III(3 cases). The final results of the delayed operations were good in one case, fair in one cases, poor in three cases. In conclusion, the results of the delayed operation were worse than those of the early operation, so we think that the early operation of talar fracture and dislocation will give good results.