Talus

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Original Editor - Lucinda hampton Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Ewa Jaraczewska, Kim Jackson and Vidya Acharya

Original Editor

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Ewa Jaraczewska, Kim Jackson and Vidya Acharya

Introduction

The talus is the second largest bone in the hindfoot region of the human body. Responsible for transmitting body weight and forces passing between the lower leg and the foot. 

The Talus (left talus shown in image)

• Is a component of many multiple joints, including the talocrural (ankle), subtalar, and transverse tarsal joints.
• Does not have any direct muscular attachments and has a tenuous and limited blood supply,
• Serves as the site of attachment for many ligaments including the lateral ankle ligaments and medial deltoid ligament complex. 

Talus fractures comprise about 1% of all foot and ankle fractures.

Nearly 70% of ankle injuries can cause varying degrees of chondral and osteochondral injuries to the talus. 

It is important to be aware of the occurrence of both isolated and associated talar injuries and their extent of clinical and potentially long-term implications.

Function

Muscle attachments

The talus does not serve as the site of any muscle attachment, which is significant because that means the talus does not have secondary sources of blood supply.

• If there is vascular compromise to the talus through traumatic injuries such as in the setting of displaced fractures, there is a relatively high risk of developing post-traumatic, avascular necrosis (AVN)