A Clinical Study of the Fracture - Dislocation of the Talus

Choi, Chang Uk; Lee, Byung Il; Shin, Byung Joon; Kim, Do Kweon

Abstract

The talus is a bone with unique biomechanical features and vascular supply. Although fractures of the talus are not common, the complications of the displaced fractures or dislocation are frequent and resulting disabilities are so severe that the importance of proper management is emphasized. Authors analyzed 17 cases of fracture-dislocation of the talus, treated at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital from January 1983 to December 1988. The results were as follows:l. Among the 17 cases, there were 15 males and 2 females and the average age was 28 years old, ranged from 21 years to 58 years. 2. The causes were fall from height in 10 cases, traffic accident in 6 and others in one. 3. According to Marti-Weber classification, 2 cases were type I, 5 in type II, 7 in type III and 3 type IV. 4. Among the 17 cases, 9 cases in type I and II were treated conservatively, and 8 cases in thpe III and IV were treated operatively. 5. Complications were avascular necrosis in 3 cases, degenerative arthritis in 4 and nonunion in 1. 6. Final results, evaluated by the criteria of Mindell et al., were as follows: excellent in 7 cases, good in 5, fair in 3 and poor in 2.