Talus Fractures
The ankle bone below the shin bone (talus) can be fractures as a result of accidents or falls from height. These fractures can be severely displaced and require emergency surgery at a trauma centre. However there can be more subtle or less severe injuries that present through the clinic.
The blood supply to the talus bone can be damaged as a result of injury. In most cases surgery will be recommended to minimise the chances that the fracture does not heal (non union) and the bone dying off from lack of blood flow (avascular necrosis).
A CT scan or MRI scan will be organised in all cases to diagnose the fracture completely and plan surgery.
Not all talus fractures require surgery, those that do are typically across the neck of the talus (see image above) or smaller fragments that are significantly displaced
If surgery is recommended, this can sometimes be done through small incisions. It will require a period (6-8 weeks) of non weight bearing after surgery.
Surgeries performed for this condition include: