Treatment for Fracture of Neck of the Talus

거골 경부 골절의 치료

The neck of the talus is its most vulnerable and fragile segment, because of narrow diameter, devoid of hyaline padding and honeycombed internally by vascular channels etc. Talar neck fractures comprise 50% of all major to the talus. The majority occurs as a result of high-energy injuries, such as motor vehicle accidents or fall from a height. Anatomically, talar surface is covered mainly with articular cartilage and blood supply to the talus is very poor. So, complications, such as non-union, avascular necrosis and post traumatic arthritis, are frequent. The authors reviewed fourteen cases of talar neck fractures treated in our clinics from Jan. 1992 to Mar. 1997, and average follow-up period was over 15 months. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Patients' average age was 31.2 years. 2. The most common cause was traffic accident(9/14, 64%), and hyperdorsiflexion injury of the ankle was common mechanism of the fractures. 3. According to the modified Hawkins classification, type I was four cases, type II was nine cases, type III was one case and type IV was no case. 4. Hawkins sign of subcortical radiolucency was found in 64% (9/14) of the fractures. 5. Avascular necrosis was occurred in 21% (3/14) of the fractures(in two cases of type II fractures, and in one of type III). 6. According to the Hawkins criteria, four cases in type I, five in type II were an excellent result. Two cases, one in type II and one in type III were good result, and two in type II were fair. One in type II was poor result.