Prevention of avascular necrosis in displaced talar neck fractures by hyperbaric oxygenation therapy: A dual case report

• Main Authors: Mei-Dan O, Hetsroni I, Mann G, Melamed Y, Nyska M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2008-01-01
• Series: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
• Subjects: Avascular necrosis; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; talar fracture
• Online Access: http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2008;volume=54;issue=2;spage=140;epage=143;aulast=Mei-Dan
• ISSN: 0022-3859; 0972-2823

Talar neck fractures are a rare injury that account for less then 2% of all foot fractures. Displaced fractures are associated with an exceedingly high rate of avascular necrosis (AVN). The incidence of AVN following Hawkins Type 3 fractures of the talar neck may approach 100%, particularly if diagnosis and reduction are delayed. Severe cases may present as pain and disability of the ankle and the subtalar joints due to a talar dome collapse, resulting in degenerative changes that usually require hind foot arthrodesis. We present two cases of traumatic displaced talar neck fractures which were treated surgically more than 2 weeks following injury due to a delay in diagnosis. Both patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after the operation and neither resulted in AVN of the talus in a three-year follow-up. We suggest that this favorable result may be due to the beneficial effects of HBOT.