ABSTRACT
Fractures are described involving the talar neck, body, head, lateral and posterior processes or as producing an osteochondral injury. Biomechanically, the talus links motion of the foot to the leg allowing gait to proceed from heel strike to toe lift. To improve exposure, an osteotomy of the medial or lateral malleolus is often necessary. Displaced fractures are approached dorsally, medi-ally, anterolaterally or, if necessary, through two incisions. The goals of operative treatment of articular fractures are to reconstruct the height, narrow the width, reconstruct the length, correct the deformity of the tuberosity and reduce the joint. Nonoperative care should be considered only for nondis-placed body fractures, cortical avulsions or minimally displaced tuberosity fractures. Fractures are often non- or minimally displaced, and present as closed injuries. The true incidence is unknown since isolated fractures are uncommon. Injuries are the result of direct trauma and are described as medial, middle or lateral cuneiform fractures.
