OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of talar neck fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with screws.

METHODSAmong 28 cases in the study, 20 cases were males and 8 cases were female. The age ranged from 22 to 72 years with an average of 38 years. Based on the Hawkins classification,there were 6 cases of type I,18 of type I and 4 of type II. They were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with screws.

RESULTSTwenty-eight cases were followed up for 1 to 7 years(mean 2.8 years). The evaluation of the results by Hawkins functional rating scale revealed excellent in 14 cases,good in 9 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 2 cases. The excellent and good rate were 83.2%. Osteonecrosis occurred in 5 cases with 3 of type II and 2 of type III fractures. Two of 3 cases with talar displacement were found with osteonecrosis or painful arthritis. The subtalar arthritis occurred in 6 cases, 3 of which were associated with ankle arthritis. Two cases underwent arthrodesis because of painful arthritis of the subtalar joint or osteonecrosis of the talar body. Wound infection and anteromedial skin necrosis of the ankle were not found.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of talar neck fractures could obtain satisfactory clinical results through open reduction and internal fixation with screws. Protection of the residual blood supply, anatomically reduction and stable fixation are essential for successful treatment of talar neck fractures.