
Surgical treatment: If the fractured bones have shifted out of position, your surgeon will suggest surgery to realign the fractured bones and stabilize the talus with metal plates and/or screws. You will be advised to perform exercises to help strengthen your foot and ankle and restore range of motion once the cast is removed. Non-surgical treatment: If the bone has not moved out of alignment, your doctor will place your ankle in a cast for 6 to 8 weeks. What are the Treatment Options for Talus Fractures?īased on the findings, your doctor will treat talus fractures by either non-surgical or surgical methods. When you present to the clinic with these symptoms, your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination and order an X-ray or CT-scan to diagnose the location and severity of the fracture. What are the Symptoms of a Talus Fracture? How do Talus Fractures occur?įractures in the talus bone may occur due to a fall from great heights, motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries. If the cartilage covering the talus is damaged, the bones will rub against each other, resulting in pain and stiffness.The talus is a small bone at the ankle joint that connects the heel bone and the shinbones, enabling up and down movement of the foot. One of the complications is a possible development of arthritis in later years. If the blood supply is disrupted, the bone tissue could die, a condition called avascular necrosis, which could cause bone collapse.

The healing of the bones is monitored with X-rays or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) to see whether blood supply to the bone is returning. The foot should not bear weight for at least 3 months. Small fragments of bone may be removed.Ī cast is applied after surgery for 6-8 weeks. The surgeon will realign the bones and use metal screws and bone grafts to hold the pieces in place. Most talar fractures require surgery to avoid complications. Exercises will help to restore the range of motion and strength to your foot and ankle after the cast is taken off. A cast for at least 6-8 weeks will be necessary and no weight can be put on the foot during that time. Occasionally, a talar fracture can be treated without surgery if the bones have not moved out of alignment. Elevate foot above the level of the heart and apply ice for 20 minutes every 1-2 hours until you can see a doctor. Immediate first aid treatment for a talar fracture is RICE: apply a padded splint around the back of the foot and leg from the toe to the upper calf. If you suspect this fracture, you should see a physician immediately. Untreated talar fracture may create serious problems such as impaired foot function, possible development of arthritis and chronic pain, or even bone collapse. It is imperative to see a physician for evaluation. Talar fractures that result from snowboarding injuries may be mistaken for ankle sprains because of the tenderness on the outer side of the ankle and severe bruising. Significant swelling and tenderness around the ankle.An increasing number of talar fractures are seen among snowboarders, because the soft boot that is used is not supportive enough to prevent ankle injuries. Often they occur together with injuries to the lower back and other foot injuries, such as heel fractures. Most talus injuries result from motor vehicle accidents or falls from heights. The talus “connects” the foot and the leg and body, helping to transfer weight and pressure forces across the ankle joint. Where the talus meets the bones of the foot, it forms the subtalar joint, which is important for walking on uneven ground.

The talus is a small bone located between the heel bone (calcaneus) and the two bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula).
