Ceramic Artificial Talus as the Initial Treatment for Comminuted Talar Fractures. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Katsui, Ryuhei; Takakura, Yoshinori; Taniguchi, Akira; Tanaka, Yasuhito
• Is Part Of: Foot & ankle international. Volume 41:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: comminuted talar fracture -- ceramic artificial talus -- custom-made talus; Foot -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Ankle -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; 617.585
• DOI: 10.1177/1071100719875723
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-1007

Abstract

Background: Comminuted talar fractures are rare. Generally, this fracture occurs as a result of high-energy injuries. Therefore, this operation is challenging for the surgeon. We started to replace the whole talus with a total talar prosthesis in cases of aseptic talar necrosis in 2005. Based on these results, replacement with a ceramic artificial talus was performed as the initial treatment for comminuted talar fractures. Methods: From 2009 to 2016, a total of 6 feet of 6 patients with comminuted talar dome fractures or talar body defects were replaced with a ceramic artificial talus. The patients' mean age was 40.3 years (range, 19-59). Postoperative assessments were performed in accordance with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hindfoot score system. Postoperative range of motion and sports activities were also evaluated. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 84 (mean, 46.8) months. Results: The postoperative AOFAS score was on average 78.8 (64-100). The postoperative range of motion was on average 10 degrees (5-20) for dorsiflexion and 31 degrees (15-50) for plantarflexion. Three patients had returned to sport activities. Conclusion: Prosthetic total talar replacement was a useful procedure for patients with comminuted talar fractures, which had good congruency of the custom-made implant with the adjacent joints, resulting in stability, and maintained ankle function. Furthermore, this procedure could prevent the complications of long-term external fixation and non-weight-bearing walking seen after open reduction and arthrodesis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective comparative study.