BACKGROUND: There are many surgical treatment approaches for talar fractures. However, due to the unique anatomical and blood supply characteristics of the talus, the traditional approaches tend to lead to blood supply damage. In order to best preserve the blood supply of the talus, we proposed a surgical approach of internal fixation of the talar fracture with lateral malleolar osteotomy and analyzed its efficacy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with talar fractures underwent open reduction surgery between January 2010 and December 2016. Following the lateral malleolar osteotomy, the talus was fully exposed. After anatomical reduction, the talus was fixed with 2 screws, and the lateral malleolus was fixed with distending wires. The treatment effects were assessed in the follow-up.

RESULTS: All patients were followed for 7 to 22 months, for an average of 14.34 months. According to the Maryland Foot Score, 19 cases were excellent (90–100 points), 4 cases were good (85–90 points), and 3 cases were moderate (50–74 points).

CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation of talar fractures with lateral malleolar osteotomy is a viable surgical approach to reduce injury to blood supply and maximize surgical exposure.

Keywords: Abortion, Therapeutic, ankle fractures, Jaw Fixation Techniques, Osteotomy, Le Fort, Talus, Ankle Joint, Bone Screws, Bone Wires, Fracture Fixation, Internal, Fractures, Bone, Internal Fixators, Open Fracture Reduction, Osteotomy