I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with AVN of the talus due to chemotherapy. Im 13 years old and i was wondering if the blood supply will return to the talar dome because of my age. I was also wondering if fusion surgery would work.

-- laura (devils_angel96@msn.com), June 13, 2003

Answers

AVN of the talus is rare in adults and even more rare in teen- agers. Based upon our experience with adults I would say that the blood supply will probably not return. How big a problem this is or becomes will depend on how much of the talus is involved. If the omount of the talar involvement is small, it could heal and not be a clinical problem. If it is large, not only is it a clinical problem, but fusion is also a problem, because the dead bone in the talus will not heal properly. You need to direct you specific situation to a foot and ankle specialist.

-- David Hungerford (dhunger@jhmi.edu), August 06, 2003.