Salvage treatment of traumatic total talar loss: a case report on the eventual application of 3D printing technology

BACKGROUND: Traumatic total talar loss is a rare and challenging condition commonly associated with talus extrusion and dislocation. Currently, clear treatment guidelines are lacking for massive talar defects. We report a case of a comminuted, open fracture with a bone defect. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who was admitted after a car accident. After the talar reimplantation and foot drop correction, a 3D-printed porous titanium spacer was utilized to fill the bone void created by resorption-induced talar collapse. After four years of follow-up, the patient achieved pain-free ambulation and an American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of 82. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case applying 3D printing technology to treat traumatic total talar loss. The complexity of the injury and the innovative nature of the treatment method provide new insights for managing traumatic total talar loss and highlight the importance of personalized 3D printing for bone defect cases.