Talar Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A talar fracture (FRAK-chur) 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.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment of a talar fracture may cause unpleasant effects. Having a cast for a period of time may cause discomfort and problems walking. You could get an infection or bleed too much with surgery. Sometimes, even after surgery, the ankle may not go back to the way it was before, or symptoms may not go away. If left untreated, a talar fracture may cause problems with walking and activities, including sports. You may get an infection if the fracture has an open wound. You may also have decreased blood supply to the injured area. Early diagnosis of the type and severity of the talar fracture is very important. Call your caregiver if you have concerns about your injury, medicines, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.
  
  
• Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep you from getting tetanus. It is given as a shot. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.

Tests: You may have one or more of the following:

• Arthroscopy: Caregivers may want to look inside your ankle to check for signs of fracture or injury. Caregivers make a small incision (cut) in your ankle and insert a scope through it. The scope is a long tube with a magnifying glass, a camera, and a light on the end.
  
  
• Bone scan: This is a test to look at your bones. You are given a small, safe amount of dye in an IV. Pictures are then taken of your bones.
  
  
• Computed tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses computers to take pictures of your ankle, and foot. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This test is also called an MRI. The test uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your ankle and foot.
  
  
• X-rays: You may need x-rays of the ankle and foot. Several pictures taken from different angles may be done to help show the broken bone better. You may be asked to move your ankle or foot in certain directions while x-rays are taken.

Treatment options:

• Immobilization: Caregivers will keep your broken talus from moving and help it heal faster. It may be the only treatment needed when the talar fracture is small. This may also be done in large fractures where broken bones did not move out of their normal position. You may have a below-knee, non-weight bearing cast for about six weeks. A removable boot and crutches may be used after to help decrease stress on the ankle when walking.
  
  
• Surgery: Surgery may be needed if your talar fracture is bad. This includes a talus bone with a large break, out of place, or is broken into many pieces. It may also be needed if your fracture does not heal with other treatments. During surgery, wires, pins, screws, or metal plates may be used to hold the broken bone parts in the correct place. Loose bits of the broken bone will be removed. Caregivers may also place a new bone into spaces between or around the fracture. Other problems, such as trapped nerves or bleeding blood vessels, may also be corrected with surgery.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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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