Author summary
Fifty-five patients with 57 vertical fractures of the neck of the talus were included
in this series, 43 of whom were followed for a minimum of 1 year. Fractures were classified
into three groups based on the presence and location of dislocation. The treatment
method employed varied according to fracture classification. Nonunion was reported
in three cases, all occurring in patients with fracture dislocations affecting both
the subtalar and ankle joints. The overall incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) was
58%, with the majority occurring in severely displaced fractures. Union was frequently
delayed following treatment for AVN and in those patients requiring fusion following
AVN, a fusion rate of only 50% was achieved. Predominantly excellent and good clinical
results followed the treatment of vertical fractures of the neck of talus not complicated
by AVN. Conversely, in those fractures associated with AVN, a high percentage of fair
or poor results occurred.
