Affiliations: Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinics Wuerzburg, D-97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: H. Jansen, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Str. 6, D-97080 Wuerzburg, Germany. Tel.: +49 931 20137001; Fax: +49 931 20137009; E-mail: Jansen_h@ukw.de.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fractures of the talus often lead to permanent restrictions of the affected limb. Possible alterations after these fractures in gait have not been evaluated yet. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate possible alterations of gait by pedybarography after talar fractures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-centre study at a level I trauma center. Twenty patients with operatively treated talar fractures were followed up. Objective and subjective function of the ankle was measured using range of motion, clinical scores and dynamic pedobarography (emed-M; Novel, Germany). RESULTS: There were 11 talar neck and 9 talar body fractures. All patients received screw fixation. There was a significant reduction in range of motion. The outcome was moderate to satisfying and the severity of the injury correlated with the clinical outcome and the range of motion. The presence of posttraumatic arthritis and joint incongruity lead to a decreased function of ankle and subtalar joint and resulted in a worse clinical outcome. AVN rate was associated to initial displacement. Dynamic pedobarography showed no significant changes in gait pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures of the talus lead to dissatisfaction, pain and malfunction. However, a change in gait pattern could not be proved.
