Prophylactic Bracing Decreases Ankle Injuries in Collegiate Female Volleyball Players

2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
David I. Pedowitz ◽  
Sudheer Reddy ◽  
Selene G. Parekh ◽  
G. Russell Huffman ◽  
Brian J. Sennett
Keyword(s):  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Ankle Injury ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Injury Data ◽  
Ankle Brace ◽  
Volleyball Players

Background Ankle injuries account for the highest percentage of injuries among female collegiate volleyball players. Since 1998, all female volleyball players at the authors’ institution have worn bilateral double-upright padded ankle braces at all times. Purpose To review the authors’ experience with this brace in preventing ankle injuries that result in a loss of play. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Injury data, preparticipation medical histories, and total exposure data were collected prospectively on all female volleyball players at the authors’ institution from 1998 to 2005. Injuries and exposures were defined based on established National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System criteria. Injury rate was calculated as the number of injuries per 1000 exposures. The National Collegiate Athletic Association female volleyball injury data from 1998 to 2005 were used for comparison. Results During the study period, there were a total of 13 500 exposures and 1 injury in our group yielding an injury rate of 0.07 per 1000 exposures. Nearly half of our athletes had a preparticipation history of ankle sprains, yet only 1 ankle injury occurred during all of our braced exposures. Conclusion There were 811 710 exposures and 797 injuries in the National Collegiate Athletic Association comparison group with an increased injury rate of 0.98 per 1000 exposures ( P = .001). Prophylactic use of a double-upright ankle brace significantly reduced the ankle injury rate compared with that reported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. From these data, it appears that the use of such a brace is an effective way to decrease the incidence of ankle injuries in this active but vulnerable group of athletes.

scholarly journals Ten-Year Epidemiology of Ankle Injuries in Men's and Women's Collegiate Soccer Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 881-888
Author(s):  
Matthew Gulbrandsen ◽  
David E. Hartigan ◽  
Karan A. Patel ◽  
Justin L Makovicka ◽  
Sailesh V Tummala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Injury Surveillance ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Lateral Ligament ◽  
Deltoid Ligament ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Injury Rates

Context Data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) have indicated that ankle injuries are the most common injuries among NCAA soccer players. Objective To review 10 years of NCAA-ISP data for soccer players' ankle injuries to understand how the time period (2004–2005 through 2008–2009 versus 2009–2010 through 2013–2014), anatomical structure injured, and sex of the athlete affected the injury rate, mechanism, and prognosis. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Online injury surveillance. Main Outcome Measure(s) The NCAA-ISP was queried for men's and women's soccer ankle data from 2004 to 2014. Ankle-injury rates were calculated on the basis of injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures. Rate ratios (RRs) were used to compare injury rates. Injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to compare injury characteristics. Results When compared with the 2004–2005 through 2008–2009 seasons, the 2009–2010 through 2013–2014 seasons showed a similar rate of injuries (RR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85, 1.04) but fewer days missed (P < .001) and fewer recurrent injuries (IPR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.41, 0.74). The 4 most common ankle injuries, which accounted for 95% of ankle injuries, were lateral ligament complex tears (65.67%), tibiofibular ligament (high ankle) sprains (10.3%), contusions (10.1%), and medial (deltoid) ligament tears (9.77%). Of these injuries, high ankle sprains were most likely to cause athletes to miss ≥30 days (IPR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.24, 2.90). Men and women had similar injury rates (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.94, 1.11). Men had more contact injuries (IPR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.41) and contusion injuries (IPR = 1.34, CI = 1.03, 1.73) but fewer noncontact injuries (IPR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.95) and lateral ligamentous complex injuries (IPR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86, 0.98). Conclusions Although the rate of ankle injuries did not change between the 2004–2005 through 2008–2009 seasons and the 2009–2010 through 2013–2014 seasons, the prognoses improved. Among the 4 most common ankle injuries, high ankle sprains resulted in the worst prognosis. Overall, male and female NCAA soccer players injured their ankles at similar rates; however, men were more likely to sustain contact injuries.

scholarly journals ANKLE BRACE USE AND RISK OF ACUTE LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY AMONG FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0026
Author(s):  
Stephanie Kliethermes ◽  
Timothy McGuine ◽  
Kevin Biese ◽  
David Bell ◽  
Andrew Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Ankle Injury ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Lower Extremity Injury ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ankle Brace ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
Female High School

Background: Lower extremity injuries (LEIs), particularly ankle sprains, are the most common injury reported among female volleyball players. Many athletes wear ankle braces to help prevent injury; however, it is unknown whether ankle brace use reduces the rate and severity of ankle and LEI in these athletes. Hypothesis/Purpose: Determine if ankle brace use is associated with a reduced rate and severity of LEIs and ankle injuries among female high school volleyball players. Methods: 2073 female volleyball players from 78 high schools were prospectively followed for injury, including acute LEI, during their fall 2018 volleyball season. Baseline data was collected on each participant including ankle brace use and type worn. Brace type was classified as soft- (e.g. fabric) or hard-shell. Injury severity was measured as days lost from sport. Incidence rates are reported per 1000 athlete exposures. Results: 210 acute LEIs were observed during the season, of which 122 (58%) were ankle injuries. 76% of non-contact LEIs were due to jumping/landing or rotating around a planted foot. Similarly, 76% of contact LEIs were due to the floor or a teammate. The rate of LEI for athletes wearing soft-shell(SS) braces was 1.14 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.72), compared to 0.53 (95% CI: 0.25, 1.10) for those wearing hard-shells (HS) and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.71) for those not wearing braces (NONE). The rate of a LEI for athletes wearing SS was 2.22 (95% CI: 1.31, 3.74) times as high as that for NONE (p=0.003). No association was found between LEI risk in athletes wearing HS versus NONE (IRR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.45, 2.30). Similarly, the rates of ankle injury for HS, SS and NONE were 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.530), 0.40 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.79), and 0.16 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.28), respectively. The rate of ankle injury was 2.5 times as great in participants wearing SS compared to NONE (p=0.04). No association was detected for HS braces (p=0.48). No difference in median days lost for LEI (HS: 2[IQR 1,13], SS: 4[1, 10] None: 3[1,9]) or ankle injury (HS: 7[IQR 2,13], SS: 5[1, 11] None: 3[1,10]) was detected by brace use (p=0.99, p=0.79, respectively). Conclusion: The use of SS braces resulted in an increased risk of LEI and ankle injury among female high-school volleyball players; moreover, HS braces were not found to be associated with injury risk nor did ankle brace use affect severity of LEI and ankle injury in this population.

scholarly journals 10-Year Epidemiology of Ankle Injuries in Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Basketball

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596711880540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sailesh V. Tummala ◽  
David E. Hartigan ◽  
Justin L. Makovicka ◽  
Karan A. Patel ◽  
Anikar Chhabra
Keyword(s):  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Ankle Injury ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Lateral Ligament ◽  
Deltoid Ligament ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Time Loss ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Collegiate Basketball

Background: Ankle injury is the most common injury in men’s and women’s basketball, regardless of the level of competition. Purpose: To use the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program/System (ISP/ISS) to review the 10-year epidemiology of ankle injuries in men’s and women’s collegiate basketball players. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The NCAA ISP was queried for men’s and women’s collegiate basketball ankle injury data from the 2004 through 2014 academic years. Ankle injury rates were calculated based on injuries per athlete-exposure (AE). Injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were determined by comparing variables between sexes. Activity and position of injury were also studied. Results: Over the 10-year study period, most ankle injuries in collegiate basketball occurred in the preseason (female, 1.45/1000 AEs; male, 2.00/1000 AEs), were contact related (female, 50.4%; male, 57.6%), were treated conservatively (female, 98.5%; male, 99.3%), and were new injuries (female, 78.0%; male, 78.9%), resulting in a time loss of less than 7 days (female, 62.7%; male, 65.2%). The most common injury types were lateral ligament complex tears (female, 83.5%; male, 80.0%), deltoid ligament tears (female, 5.6%; male, 7.2%), and high ankle sprains (female, 7.1%; male, 7.0%). Guards experienced the highest rate of ankle injuries in competition (female, 50.1%; male, 43.3%), and rebounding was found to be the most common activity during an injury (female, 30.3%; male, 34.4%). The rate of ankle injuries was significantly lower in women than in men (IPR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.75-0.88]). Conclusion: This study found that most ankle injuries in collegiate basketball occurred during the preseason, were contact related, were treated conservatively, and were new injuries that resulted in a time loss of less than 7 days.

Foot and Ankle Injections in Athletes

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110036
Author(s):  
Jonathan K. Ochoa ◽  
Christopher E. Gross ◽  
Robert B. Anderson ◽  
Andrew R. Hsu
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Autologous Blood ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Level Of Evidence

Context: Injections are commonly used by health care practitioners to treat foot and ankle injuries in athletes despite ongoing questions regarding efficacy and safety. Evidence Acquisition: An extensive literature review was performed through MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost from database inception to 2021. Keywords searched were injections, athletes, sports, foot and ankle, corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma, and placental tissue. Search results included articles written in the English language and encompassed reviews, case series, empirical studies, and basic science articles. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma/autologous blood, anesthetic, and placental tissue injections are commonly used in the treatment of foot and ankle injuries. Primary indications for injections in athletes include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinosis, isolated syndesmotic injury, and ankle impingement with varying clinical results. Conclusions: Despite promising results from limited case series and comparative studies, the data for safety and efficacy of injections for foot and ankle injuries in athletes remain inconclusive.

The Snowboarder's Foot and Ankle

1998 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Robert E. Hunter ◽  
Peter C. Janes ◽  
Jackie Mastrangelo ◽  
Richard A. Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Injury Rate ◽  
Soft Tissue Injuries ◽  
Fracture Pattern ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Anterior Talofibular Ligament ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Foot Injuries ◽  
Lateral Process ◽  
Ski Resorts

We undertook a prospective study to determine the type and distribution of foot and ankle snowboarding injuries. Reports of 3213 snowboarding injuries were collected from 12 Colorado ski resorts between 1988 and 1995. Of these, 491 (15.3%) were ankle injuries and 58 (1.8%) were foot injuries. Ankle injuries included 216 (44%) fractures and 255 (52%) sprains. Thirty-three (57%) of the foot injuries were fractures and 16 (28%) were sprains. The remaining injuries were soft tissue injuries, contusions, or abrasions. There was no significant correlation between boot type (soft, hybrid, or hard) and overall foot or ankle injury rate. There were significantly fewer ankle sprains in patients wearing hybrid boots and fewer fractures of the lateral process of the talus in patients wearing soft boots. An unexpectedly high number of fractures of the lateral process of the talus were noted. These 74 fractures represented 2.3% of all snowboarding injuries, 15% of all ankle injuries, and 34% of the ankle fractures. Many of these fractures are not visible on plain radiographs and require computed tomography imaging to be diagnosed. Diagnosis of this fracture pattern is paramount; the physician should be very suspicious of anterolateral ankle pain in the snowboarder, where subtle fractures that may require surgical intervention can be confused with anterior talofibular ligament sprains.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Documentation of Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Collegiate Soccer Athletes Over the Course of an Athletic Season

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2583-2589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Hoch ◽  
Carl G. Mattacola ◽  
Heather M. Bush ◽  
Jennifer M. Medina McKeon ◽  
Timothy E. Hewett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Patient Reported

Background: Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) is a biomarker for cartilage degradation. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are used to document postinjury recovery and may be used to prospectively identify changes in the course of a season. It is unknown what effect intense, continuous physical activity has on sCOMP levels and PRO values in athletes over the duration of a soccer season. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to longitudinally document sCOMP levels and to determine whether changes in PROs occur in collegiate soccer athletes during a season. The hypotheses tested were that sCOMP levels and PRO scores would remain stable over the duration of the spring soccer season. Study Design: Case series; level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I soccer athletes (18 men, 11 women; age, 19.6 ± 1.2 years; height, 177.8 ± 7.4 cm; mass, 73.8 ± 10.2 kg) participated in 3 (pre-[T1], mid-[T2], and postseason [T3]) data collection sessions. Subjects were included if they were participants in the spring soccer season and were free of severe knee injury at the time of data collection. At each session, subjects completed PROs (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee scores) before serum collection. Results: For sCOMP (ng/mL), there was a significant effect for time, with significant increases at T2 (1723.5 ± 257.9, P < .001) and T3 (1624.7 ± 231.6, P = .002) when compared with T1(1482.9 ± 217.9). For each of the PROs, there was a significant effect for time from T1-T3, and at T2-T3 for the IKDC. Conclusion: These data indicate sCOMP levels increased as athletes reported an increased level of function over time. However, the differences in sCOMP levels did not reach the calculated minimal detectable change (MDC) value and the differences in PRO scores did not reach previously calculated MDC values. It is unclear whether these increases in sCOMP levels were caused by an increase in cartilage matrix breakdown or turnover. Even though these elevations may not be clinically meaningful, this biomarker may have the potential to be used for future research studies investigating the effects of exercise on overall joint health in longitudinal studies. In addition, these results indicate fluctuations in sCOMP occur during a competitive season and must be taken into consideration for future biomarker studies.

scholarly journals Catastrophic High School and Collegiate Cheerleading Injuries in the United States: An Examination of the 2006-2007 Basket Toss Rule Change

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K. Yau ◽  
Savannah G. Dennis ◽  
Barry P. Boden ◽  
Robert C. Cantu ◽  
James A. Lord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Rule Change ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Background: Cheerleading is a specialized athletic activity that can lead to catastrophic injuries. Cheerleading rules are in place to maximize safety of participants. The purpose of this study was to describe catastrophic cheerleading injuries among high school and collegiate-level participants in the United States and to explore whether the 2006-2007 basket toss rule change was effective at reducing the number of catastrophic injuries. Hypothesis: The 2006-2007 basket toss rule change contributed to a reduction in the number of catastrophic injuries among high school and collegiate cheerleaders. Study Design: Case series. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Data on catastrophic cheerleading injuries were collected by the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research from July 2002 to June 2017. Information collected included cheerleader, event, and injury characteristics. The impact of the 2006-2007 rule change banning the basket toss on any hard surfaces was assessed by comparing injury rates and 95% CIs before and after the rule change. Results: There were 54 catastrophic cheerleading injuries, or 3.6 injuries per year. From July 2002 through June 2017, the injury rate was 2.12 per 1,000,000 cheerleaders (95% CI, 1.56-2.69). Most cheerleaders sustained serious injuries (n = 27; 50%) during practice (n = 37; 69%) to the head (n = 28; 52%) and cervical spine (n = 17; 32%). From July 2002 through June 2017, basket tosses were the stunt that accounted for the highest proportion of injuries (n = 19; 35%). The basket toss injury rate decreased from 1.55 to 0.40 per 1,000,000 cheerleaders among both high school and collegiate cheerleaders after the rule change. Conclusion: Catastrophic injury rates in cheerleading decreased dramatically after the 2006-2007 rule change banning basket tosses from being performed on any hard surfaces. In particular, there was a nearly 4-fold reduction in the rate of catastrophic basket toss injuries.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Foot and Ankle Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596711986590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Crowley ◽  
David P. Trofa ◽  
J. Turner Vosseller ◽  
Prakash Gorroochurn ◽  
Lauren H. Redler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Injury Surveillance ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Time Loss ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Hockey Players

Background: Ice hockey is a high-speed contact sport in which athletes are prone to many different injuries. While past studies have examined overall injury rates in ice hockey, foot and ankle injuries among collegiate ice hockey players have yet to be analyzed. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries among collegiate ice hockey players utilizing data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program. We hypothesized that male ice hockey players would sustain more injuries compared with female ice hockey players and that the injuries sustained would be more severe. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Data on all foot and ankle injuries sustained during the academic years 2004 through 2014 were obtained from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. Injury rates, rate ratios (RRs), and injury proportion ratios were reported with 95% CIs. Results: Over the study period, the overall rate of foot and ankle injuries for men was higher than that for women (413 vs 103 injuries, respectively; RR, 4.01 [95% CI, 3.23-4.97]). Injury rates were highest during the regular season for both men (358 injuries; RR, 64.78 [95% CI, 58.07-71.49]) and women (89 injuries; RR, 38.37 [95% CI, 30.40-46.35]) compared with the preseason or postseason. The most common injury in men was a foot and/or toe contusion (22.5%), while women most commonly sustained a low ankle sprain (31.1%). For men, foot and/or toe contusions accounted for the most non–time loss (≤24 hours ) and moderate time-loss (2-13 days) injuries, while high ankle sprains accounted for the most severe time-loss (≥14 days) injuries. For women, foot and/or toe contusions accounted for the most non–time loss injuries, low ankle sprains accounted for the most moderate time-loss injuries, and high ankle sprains accounted for the most severe time-loss injuries. Conclusion: Foot and ankle injuries were frequent among collegiate ice hockey players during the period studied. For men, contusions were the most commonly diagnosed injury, although high ankle sprains resulted in the most significant time lost. For women, low ankle sprains were the most common and resulted in the most moderate time lost. These findings may direct future injury prevention and guide improvements in ice skate design.

De Quervain Disease in Volleyball Players

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costantino Rossi ◽  
Paolo Cellocco ◽  
Enrico Margaritondo ◽  
Francesco Bizzarri ◽  
Giuseppe Costanzo
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
Stenosing Tenosynovitis ◽  
Group A ◽  
De Quervain ◽  
Group B ◽  
De Quervain Disease

Background Chronic inflammatory tendon diseases in athletes are frequent, and they often result from modifications in normal kinematics of a tendon associated with a patient's anatomical determinants. De Quervain stenosing tenosynovitis is an inflammatory disease of tendons of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. There is no literature about this disease concerning professional volleyball players. Hypothesis Limited, multiple trauma on the dorsal radial portion of the wrist, associated with long training times, can be involved in the pathogenetic process of de Quervain disease in professional volleyball players. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Materials and Methods The authors studied 45 consecutively enrolled volleyball players (27 professional, 18 nonprofessional) satisfying clinical criteria for the diagnosis of de Quervain stenosing tenosynovitis. All patients were evaluated by questionnaire and physical examination. They were divided into group A (mild) and group B (severe) based on the severity of the symptoms and physical findings; they were followed for a mean of 37 months. Results Total training quantity (mean weekly training time multiplied by mean sports activity duration) in group A was 74, whereas it was 155 in group B (P <. 01). No neuropathies were found in group A, whereas they were found in 3 patients in group B. Fifty percent of surgical patients had a longitudinal fibrous septum, whereas 54% showed multiple tendon sheaths making up the abductor pollicis longus tendon. Conclusions This study shows that increased training time and consequent microtrauma associated with professional volleyball activity can increase the likelihood of de Quervain disease.

scholarly journals Management and Outcome of Hindfoot Trauma With Concomitant Talar Head Injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072098002
Author(s):  
Esmee Wilhelmina Maria Engelmann ◽  
Olivier Wijers ◽  
Jelle Posthuma ◽  
Tim Schepers
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ankle Injuries ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Talar Head ◽  
The Mean

Background: Talar head fractures account for 2.6% to 10% of all talar fractures and are often associated with concomitant musculoskeletal injuries. The current literature only describes a total of 14 patients with talar head fractures and, with that, guidelines for management are lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the management and long-term outcome of patients who have hindfoot trauma with concomitant talar head fractures. Methods: This study includes a retrospective cohort of patients with talar head fractures. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, fracture characteristics, treatment, follow-up, and complications were reported. Functional outcome was assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Quality of life was measured by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Twenty-one patients with acute fractures of the talar head were identified. The mean follow-up time was 4.9 years. Results: All patients sustained additional ipsilateral foot and/or ankle injuries. Fifteen patients had operative management of their talar head fracture. There were no postoperative wound infections and no cases of avascular necrosis. All fractures united, and 29% of patients developed posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The overall mean FFI score index was 34.2, and the mean AOFAS score was 70.7. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.74. Conclusion: Talar head fractures always coincided with other (foot) fractures. Management and long-term functional outcome were affected by the extent of associated injuries. Due to the low incidence and high complexity of talar head fractures, early referral to dedicated foot surgeons and centralization of complex foot surgery is recommended. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document