Talar head fracture
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Goel A, Knipe H, Hacking C, et al. Talar head fracture. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 03 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-35017
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rID:
35017
Article created:
19 Mar 2015,
Ayush Goel
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Ayush Goel had no recorded disclosures.
View Ayush Goel's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Revisions:
7 times, by
5 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Talar head fractures
Talar head fractures are rare fractures that have a high frequency of co-existing foot fractures.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Talar head fractures account for ~5% (range 2.6-10%) of talar fractures 4.
Pathology
Talar head fractures are almost always associated with other foot fractures, frequently with peritalar fracture-dislocation and/or Chopart injuries 4.
Four types of talar fractures are described 3,4:
- impaction/compression fracture, often with significant comminution
- complete transverse
- shear fracture
- avulsion fractures
Radiographic features
The fracture may sometimes be difficult to identify on radiographs and CT may be necessary to identify the fracture line 4.
Complications
The incidence of avascular necrosis is low due to good vascularity, unlike talar neck fractures 4.
Treatment and prognosis
- non-displaced fractures: short leg cast and partial weight-bearing
- displaced fractures: open reduction - internal fixation (ORIF)
References
- 1. Long NM, Zoga AC, Kier R et-al. Insufficiency and nondisplaced fractures of the talar head: MRI appearances. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;199 (5): W613-7. doi:10.2214/AJR.11.7313 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Early JS. Talus fracture management. Foot Ankle Clin. 2008;13 (4): 635-57. doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2008.08.005 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Melenevsky Y, Mackey RA, Abrahams RB et-al. Talar Fractures and Dislocations: A Radiologist's Guide to Timely Diagnosis and Classification. Radiographics. 2015;35 (3): 765-79. doi:10.1148/rg.2015140156 - Pubmed citation
- 4. Engelmann EWM, Wijers O, Posthuma J, Schepers T. Management and Outcome of Hindfoot Trauma With Concomitant Talar Head Injury. (2021) Foot & ankle international. 42 (6): 714-722. doi:10.1177/1071100720980023 - Pubmed
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