Talus fracture and partial displacement, healing advice and support

Raya Rothenbacher wrote:

So simple for so much hell…
... The injury was treated as a minor sprain initially.
... No specifics on the type of fracture or anything.
... I’m so scared this is going to keep lasting

Raya, your story resonates with me and likely many others here who have been through the process of fracturing their ankle, seeking care, and going through recovery. It seems that it's really challenging to diagnose ankle fractures. Maybe when AIs start reading our scans things will get better!

It is scary, and feeling out of the loop about your own injury sucks, and doctors don't always get that, or might not want to overwhelm you with a bunch of detailed medical info.

It's going to be hard, but give your body the time it needs to heal, and try to be patient and gentle with yourself as you work through your recovery. It is work. Our joints and muscles really don't like being immobilized for months.

This forum is full of people who are absolutely obsessed with one hobby: rock climbing. So we "get it." We are also desperate to be out there. When I was injured I rediscovered some earlier passions that I could exercise from a chair and it was a great relief. It sometimes feels like we can't live without ____ in our lives, but actually, you totally can.

Try not to focus on imagined worse case scenarios. Focus on some simple truths: things will get better than they are now. It may take some time, but you're strong enough to get through this.

Good luck!

I had multiple total talus replacement with the 3D printed talus. The 1st in 2021 and the 2nd 2023, some modifications needed to be done to the implant. .While I have no regrets I must say it’s challenging. You gotta have high pain tolerance.

Theres so much to say about this. I find it easier to answer any direct questions about it.

Let me pitch in with a hopeful recovery story.

I 'm in my mid 20s and sustained a talar neck fracture (Hawkings type-I) about a year ago. I was lucky it was a clean fracture, and I had two screws inserted a week after the injury. After 4 months, I was cleared for full weight-bearing exercises, and after a total of 11 months (7 of which in physical therapy), I'm (almost) fully recovered. I can walk, run, jump, do backflips, everything. The only lasting problems are slightly limited dorsiflexion and my broken ankle tires faster on daylong walks, requiring me to rest my feet the next day.

A talar fracture is a long, painful and mentally heavy process. But with the right surgeon, physical therapist and attitude (and a bit of luck), satisfactory recovery is possible. Good luck!

Has anyone had success with ankle injections for arthritis pain? I sustained a type 4 talus fracture 6 years ago, and have severe arthritis in the tibiotalar and subtalar joints. I'm thinking of trying hyaluronic acid (ie. Synvisc) or PRP injections. Holding off on the steroid injections for now. Thanks!

I have had steroid injections for my ankle and the first one lasted a year or so.I had another one to make it through tue summer and fall. My arthritis was pretty advanced, always the over achiever, and had the ankle replaced 7 weeks ago. They do work and how long they last varies with the individual.I waited a faillry long time before I got the shots but you will know when it is time.

Hello everyone! I'm so grateful to find this post. I love the positivity of the messages. My partner had an accident four days ago in Vietnam, a normal fall where her foot hit a hole. Luckily, we're in a good hospital in Hanoi, and they told us the surgery was very well done. Like everyone else, I'm worried about necrosis. She had surgery 24 hours after the accident. She was in a lot of pain, and morphine wasn't working. We're feeling better now. She's light (50 kg) and loves walking and traveling. She's very sad. She was on a long year-long trip. We're returning to Argentina now. im also dealiing with great guitly but keep strong for her. 

 I'm attaching the photos. I understand it's grade 2 or 3 with displacement.

Any comment or suggestion is welcome!! 

Pd. vietnam has great people and amazing places to climb. hope to come fully recovered soon!!

this is the route> thecrag.com/en/climbing/vie…

also i reading good results with plasma inyections to recover, anyone try it? 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32071508/

Marisa Shapiro wrote:

Has anyone had success with ankle injections for arthritis pain? I sustained a type 4 talus fracture 6 years ago, and have severe arthritis in the tibiotalar and subtalar joints. I'm thinking of trying hyaluronic acid (ie. Synvisc) or PRP injections. Holding off on the steroid injections for now. Thanks!

I get one about once a year, and they help me quite a bit.

Hey All,

I've found this thread very informative if not a little scary but will jump in here with my story. Very similar to a lot of people's in that I fell while leading and hit a ledge with my right foot before the rope caught, this was on April 6th. Knew right away there was something wrong and when I got down to the ground I could not put weight on it without sharp pain. Went to urgent care and they took some x-rays and said it was a bad sprain. Gave me a boot and crutches and told me to see an ortho before I started walking on it. 

Went to the ortho 2 days later and they agreed that no bone damage but ordered an MRI to check for ligament damage. MRI came back and radiologist indicated possible lateral process fracture of the talus. First ortho was unreachable so I called a bunch of different foot and ankle specialist in the Denver area and was able to get in to see one the following Monday. They were immediately concerned and ordered a CT scan that night. CT scan showed the lateral talus fracture displaced 5mm into the subtalar joint. Met with surgeon again and he was able to get me in for an ORIF the next day. Ended up with 2 2x20mm screws to put it back together. 

Surgery was 3 weeks ago and it appears that everything is on track. Doctor wants the full 6 weeks post op of no weight bearing so I've been alternating between the crutches, knee scooter, and iWalk. Started pt last week after the splint came off and I'd say flexion in both directions is about 50% of normal. Will also say that the Game Ready ice machines are awesome for post op swelling and comfort. Also taking a ton of supplements (calcium, glucosamine, vitamin d, creatine, hmb, fish oil...), really just trying to throw the kitchen sink at it for the fastest recovery possible. 

I went in yesterday to get a PRP injection in the joint to hopefully speed up healing. All I can say so far is holy f, way more painful than I was expecting, like 10x the pain of original injury or the surgery. 

I'll report back in a few weeks with an update on how it's coming along. Thanks to everyone for providing their insights in this thread as it played a huge role in me taking this injury seriously and seeking second/third opinions. 

Good news! Two months after surgery, there are no signs of necrosis. Recovery is going very well, and they confirmed that the surgery in Vietnam was very well done. The iWalk is useful for daily tasks. It hurts less now, although it turns purple as soon as you step off the chair. Everyone told us it's normal. Let's hope we can start walking in 20 days. I can confirm that many cases with poor prognoses are reported online. Those who heal well generally don't share their experience.