The management and outcome of lateral process fracture of the talus
Received 14 October 2008; received in revised form 20 March 2009; accepted 31 March 2009. published online 04 May 2009.
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.
ABSTRACT