Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note

Talar neck fractures, though rare, pose significant challenges in treatment due to their complex nature and potential for severe complications. Despite the fact that most of talar fractures are treated operatively, there is scarcity of clear recommendations concerning appropriate surgical technique...

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Main Authors: M. Katzensteiner, M. Bischofreiter, G. Schalamon, R. Ortmaier, Ch. Rodemund, G. Mattiassich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724000922
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author M. Katzensteiner
M. Bischofreiter
G. Schalamon
R. Ortmaier
Ch. Rodemund
G. Mattiassich
author_facet M. Katzensteiner
M. Bischofreiter
G. Schalamon
R. Ortmaier
Ch. Rodemund
G. Mattiassich
author_sort M. Katzensteiner
collection DOAJ
description Talar neck fractures, though rare, pose significant challenges in treatment due to their complex nature and potential for severe complications. Despite the fact that most of talar fractures are treated operatively, there is scarcity of clear recommendations concerning appropriate surgical technique and care. Historically, conservative management was favored, but open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) have become the standard of care. However, merely restoring rotation, axis, and length is insufficient; restoring the articulating surface in an anatomical manner is essential for long-term joint health. Surgical access to the fracture site via anteromedial and anterolateral approaches provides visualization, but risks compromising the sensitive, partly retrograde blood supply to the talar body. While being biomechanically superior, screws inserted from a posterior to anterior direction pose challenges in soft tissue preservation and accurate placement. Despite widespread usage of this technique, postoperative outcomes remain suboptimal with considerable rates of malunion, osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis. An overlooked technique in the literature is the use of a distractor, commonly employed in minimally-invasive surgical calcaneal fracture treatment in order to maintain length, alignment and joint reposition during fixation. With the potential to reduce soft tissue damage and preserve the blood supply minimally invasive techniques present a promising advancement in fracture management of talar neck fractures.
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series Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
spelling doaj-art-bdb74c3861b549ce99467e5d2bd587312025-08-20T02:59:46ZengElsevierFoot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases2667-39672025-01-015110045210.1016/j.fastrc.2024.100452Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical noteM. Katzensteiner0M. Bischofreiter1G. Schalamon2R. Ortmaier3Ch. Rodemund4G. Mattiassich5Department for orthopedics and traumatology – Klinik Diakonissen Schladming, Austria; Correspondence author at: Wüstenrotstraße 16/11, 4020 Linz, Austria.Department for orthopedics and traumatology – Klinik Diakonissen Schladming, Austria; Department for orthopedic surgery – Ordensklinikum Linz, Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, AustriaDepartment for orthopedics and traumatology – Klinik Diakonissen Schladming, AustriaDepartment for orthopedic surgery – Ordensklinikum Linz, Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, AustriaDepartment for orthopedics and traumatology – Unfallkrankenhaus der AUVA, Linz, AustriaDepartment for orthopedics and traumatology – Unfallkrankenhaus der AUVA, Linz, AustriaTalar neck fractures, though rare, pose significant challenges in treatment due to their complex nature and potential for severe complications. Despite the fact that most of talar fractures are treated operatively, there is scarcity of clear recommendations concerning appropriate surgical technique and care. Historically, conservative management was favored, but open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) have become the standard of care. However, merely restoring rotation, axis, and length is insufficient; restoring the articulating surface in an anatomical manner is essential for long-term joint health. Surgical access to the fracture site via anteromedial and anterolateral approaches provides visualization, but risks compromising the sensitive, partly retrograde blood supply to the talar body. While being biomechanically superior, screws inserted from a posterior to anterior direction pose challenges in soft tissue preservation and accurate placement. Despite widespread usage of this technique, postoperative outcomes remain suboptimal with considerable rates of malunion, osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis. An overlooked technique in the literature is the use of a distractor, commonly employed in minimally-invasive surgical calcaneal fracture treatment in order to maintain length, alignment and joint reposition during fixation. With the potential to reduce soft tissue damage and preserve the blood supply minimally invasive techniques present a promising advancement in fracture management of talar neck fractures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724000922Talar neck fracturesMinimally-invasiveCalcaneal distractor
spellingShingle M. Katzensteiner
M. Bischofreiter
G. Schalamon
R. Ortmaier
Ch. Rodemund
G. Mattiassich
Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases
Talar neck fractures
Minimally-invasive
Calcaneal distractor
title Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
title_full Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
title_fullStr Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
title_full_unstemmed Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
title_short Minimally invasive treatment of Talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor - a technical note
title_sort minimally invasive treatment of talar neck fractures using the calcaneal distractor a technical note
topic Talar neck fractures
Minimally-invasive
Calcaneal distractor
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667396724000922
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