Talus fracture

Background

• Almost always associated with other injuries, often misdiagnosed as ankle sprains
• Talar neck fx most common ~50% (dorsiflexion with axial loading, snowboarders)
• Talar body fx ~20% (high energy trauma, hindfoot in either supination or pronation)
• Lateral process fx ~10% (dorsiflexion with axial loading)
• Posterior process, medial or lateral tubercle very commonly misdiagnosed as ankle sprains
• Talar head fx least common

Diagnosis

• CT often required for accurate diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Foot and Toe Fracture Types

Hindfoot

• Talus fracture
• Calcaneus fracture

Midfoot

• Lisfranc injury
• Navicular fracture
• Cuboid fracture
• Cuneiform fracture

Forefoot

• Fifth metatarsal fracture
• Non-fifth metatarsal fracture
• Toe fracture

Management

• Major fracture (talar neck and head)
  • Immediate ortho consultation required (high rate of avascular necrosis)
• Minor fracture
  • Posterior Ankle Splint
  • Non-weight bearing
  • Ortho referral

See Also

• Foot Fractures
• Foot Diagnoses (Main)

Source

• Tintinalli
• Uptodate
• Weatherford B. Talar neck fractures. Orthobullets, last updated 12/19/14. http://www.orthobullets.com/trauma/1048/talar-neck-fractures.
• Aiyer A, Moore D. Talus Fracture (other than neck), last updated 12/27/14. http://www.orthobullets.com/trauma/1049/talus-fracture-other-than-neck.
• Judd DB, Kim DH. Foot Fractures Frequently Misdiagnosed as Ankle Sprains. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Sep 1;66(5):785-795.