This is a plain-English translation of the academic paper above, prepared for patients, referring clinicians, and other non-specialist readers. It preserves the structure of the original paper while removing technical jargon. For the full clinical paper, follow the PubMed or DOI links.
Background
The real-world complication rates after fractures of the talus (one of the small bones at the back of the foot, just below the ankle joint) over an 8-year window at our trauma centre.
Rationale
Talus fractures are uncommon but feared. The blood supply to the talus is fragile, and a fractured talus is at risk of avascular necrosis (death of the bone) and post-traumatic arthritis. Patients ask, reasonably, what their personal risk is.
Results
Across 100 consecutive talus fractures: average age 35, with 22% sustaining open injuries. Talar body fractures were most common (47%); neck fractures (20%) carried the highest complication risk. Overall: non-union 2%, avascular necrosis 6%, and tibio-talar post-traumatic arthritis 12%. Open injuries had higher rates of complications across the board.
Implications
If you fracture your talus, the headline numbers to keep in mind are: about 1 in 16 chance of avascular necrosis, about 1 in 8 chance of arthritis. Higher if your fracture was open or involved the neck of the talus.
Source: Pradhan A, Najefi A, Patel A, Vris A, Heidari N, et al. Complications after talus fractures: A trauma centre experience. Injury 2023. PMID: 36543737.
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