High frequency of secondary surgery after operatively treated talar fractures: A nationwide register study from 2000 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Talar fractures are rare and heterogeneous injuries associated with substantial long-term morbidity. We assessed the nationwide frequency of secondary surgical procedures after operatively treated talar fractures. METHODS: Using the Finnish Care Register for Health Care, we identified adults treated operatively for talar fractures between 2000 and 2022. Procedures were ordered chronologically. The first recorded surgical procedure was defined as the index procedure and classified as early (≤28 days) or delayed (>28 days) from diagnosis. Later recorded procedures were classified as secondary surgical procedures. RESULTS: A total of 985 patients were included; 747 had an early and 238 a delayed index procedure. Nearly one-quarter underwent at least one secondary procedure. Fracture morphology could not be distinguished in the register. CONCLUSIONS: Operatively treated talar fractures carry substantial secondary surgical burden. Findings apply to the heterogeneous register-defined population of talar fractures rather than to a specific fracture pattern.