The management and outcome of lateral process fracture of the talus

Abstract 

Background

Lateral process fractures of the talus are a rare injury with significant associated morbidity when missed. Only a small number of case series’ and reports are available and the appropriate management of these fractures is not really known.

Methods

We reviewed available English language literature for reports and series of lateral process fractures of talus. Only papers in which the classification of fracture, management and outcome were clear were included in our analyses.

Results

109 Cases in total were identified including four cases from a personal series. 50 Type I, 17 type II and 29 type III fractures were analysed. A significant number of patients required late surgery when the diagnosis was initially missed.

Conclusion

Type I fractures are best treated with ORIF, type II with excision and type III with casting. Fractures presenting late that are not united should be excised if small and internally fixed if large.

Keywords: Lateral process, Talus, Snowboarding, Snowboarders ankle