Talar Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A talar fracture is a crack or break in the talus bone of your foot. The talus bone is a square, flat bone on top of the calcaneus (heel bone). It connects the calcaneus with the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) to form the ankle. A talar fracture may be caused by a sudden, forceful bending of your ankle sideways. This may occur during a fall, direct blow to the ankle, car accident, or while playing sports. Professional ballet dancers, soccer players, runners, and snowboarders may be at a higher risk of having this kind of fracture.
  
  
• You may have pain, swelling, or bruising in the injured ankle. Your foot or ankle may look deformed, and you may have trouble walking or putting any weight on the ankle. Talar fractures may be diagnosed using an x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan. You may have a below-knee, non-weight bearing cast for about six weeks. You may need surgery if the fracture is bad. With treatment and care, your bone may heal completely and you may be able to resume your usual activities.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

You may need to return for x-rays or other tests.

Activity:

• Elevate: Lie down and elevate (raise) your leg to a level above your heart to help decrease the swelling.
  
  
• Ice: Put an ice pack on your injured ankle to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack may be made by putting crushed ice in a plastic bag or ice bag and wrapping it with a towel. Place the ice bag on the cast or splint for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as you need it. If ice is put on the injured area for too long or if it is slept on, it may cause frostbite.
  
  
• Rest: Rest when you feel it is needed. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed.

Using crutches:

You may need to use crutches to support and decrease the stress on your ankle when walking. It is important to use crutches correctly. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to use crutches.

Wearing a splint or cast:

You may need to wear a splint, or cast. This will help protect your ankle joint and keep it from moving too much so it can heal. It may also be used to decrease pain. A cast or splint is made of plaster or fiberglass. Ask your caregiver for more information and instructions on splint or cast care.

For more information:

Having a talar fracture may be hard. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6300 North River Road
  Rosemont , IL 60018-4262
  Phone: 1- 847 - 823-7186
  Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• There are new blood stains or a bad smell coming from under the cast.
  
  
• You have more pain or swelling than you did before the cast or splint was put on.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have increased pain that does not go away.
  
  
• Your cast breaks or gets damaged.
  
  
• Your leg or toes feel numb.
  
  
• Your skin or toenails below the injured foot become swollen, cold, or turn white, blue, or gray.
  
  
• Your splint or cast becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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