Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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+65 81535374 -
ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
Opening Hours
Mon to Fri: 08:00am - 8:00pm -
Opening Hours
Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
ORIF Talus
The talus bone is the front, wedge-shaped bone of the ankle joint and articulates with the end of the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (smaller lower leg bone) to form the talocrural (ankle) joint. As the main connection between the foot and leg, the talus provides a significant amount of stability and mobility. The neck of the talus also joins with the calcaneus (heel bone) and navicular (small foot bone), making this area particularly susceptible to fractures. Talus fractures most commonly occur due to a dorsiflexion movement, where the toes are pulled upwards toward the leg, often during a fall from height or a road traffic accident. Talus fractures can be categorised depending on the extent of the injury, which helps guide treatment and rehabilitation.
Type 1: Stable fracture of the talus
Type 2: Displaced fracture of the talus which dislocates the joint in the ankle formed by the talus and calcaneus
Type 3: Displaced fracture of the talus which dislocates both the subtalar and talocrural joints
Type 4: Displaced fracture of the talus which dislocates the joint in the ankle formed by the talus and the navicular bone
If you have fractured your talus, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the ankle or top of the foot, especially when trying to move or bear weight
- Swelling around the ankle and foot
- Bruising or discoloration
- Tenderness to touch over the affected area
- Difficulty or inability to walk or put weight on the affected foot
- Reduced range of motion in the ankle
- Instability or a feeling that the ankle may give way
For a Type 1 talus fracture, conservative management is often sufficient. This typically involves placing the ankle in a below-knee cast or boot for 8–12 weeks, with non-weight bearing for the first 6 weeks following the injury. However, if the fracture is unstable, as is common with Types 2–4, Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) surgery may be required. ORIF is a surgical procedure in which the affected joint is opened to realign the bones (open reduction), and metal pins, screws, plates, or nails are used to maintain correct alignment (internal fixation).
Physiotherapy prior to ORIF talus
The talus has a very poor blood supply, which means that following a fracture, the foot is at risk of avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the bone). For this reason, it is essential to participate in a full rehabilitation programme both before and after surgery to minimise this type of complication. Before your operation, you may be placed on a waiting list, and during this time it is important to maintain strength and range of movement in the surrounding joints. This will give you the best chance of recovery and help limit further complications. At Ace Physio Sports, we can provide a specially designed physiotherapy programme to be carried out both before and after your operation. Physiotherapy treatment before surgery may include:
- Strengthening exercises for the knee, hip, and foot muscles
- Range-of-motion exercises for unaffected joints
- Balance and proprioception exercises to maintain coordination
- Circulation and swelling management for the leg and foot
- Education on safe mobility and movement strategies
Symptoms after ORIF talus
Following your operation, you may experience some of the following symptoms, which the physiotherapists at Ace Physio Sports will help you to manage:
- Pain or discomfort around the ankle and foot
- Swelling and bruising in the affected area
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the ankle joint
- Weakness in the muscles surrounding the ankle and foot
- Difficulty bearing weight or walking normally
- Changes in sensation, such as tingling or numbness
Physiotherapy following ORIF talus
Following your operation, your ankle will be placed in an aircast boot or below-knee plaster, and you will be unable to put weight through your foot (non-weight bearing) for at least 2 weeks. After 4–6 weeks, you will be able to partially weight bear, gradually putting more pressure through the foot. Full weight bearing is typically allowed after approximately 8 weeks, depending on your surgeon’s assessment and the progress of healing.
Weeks 1-2
At this stage, your physiotherapy programme will consist of:
- Non-weight-bearing exercises to maintain strength in the knee, hip, and core muscles
- Gentle range-of-motion exercises for toes, ankle (if permitted), and surrounding joints
- Circulation and swelling management through elevation, massage, and compression techniques
- Balance and proprioception exercises using the non-affected leg
- Education on safe mobility and how to use crutches or walking aids correctly
- Pain management strategies to help reduce discomfort and support healing
Weeks 2-4
You may now be able to weight bear using just your toes (toe-touch weight-bearing) if you feel comfortable. Physiotherapy at this stage will focus on:
- Gradual ankle and foot mobilisation within a safe range
- Strengthening exercises for the calf, shin, and surrounding muscles
- Balance and proprioception training to regain joint awareness
- Gait training to practice correct walking mechanics with partial weight-bearing
- Swelling and pain management using elevation, ice, or compression as needed
- Education on safe progression to ensure you do not overload the healing talus
Weeks 4-6
You should now be able to partially weight-bear and begin a more intensive physiotherapy programme at Ace Physio Sports, including:
- Active ankle and foot strengthening exercises to rebuild muscle power
- Range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility and joint mobility
- Balance and proprioception training to restore stability and prevent future injuries
- Gait retraining to improve walking pattern and weight distribution
- Functional exercises tailored to your daily activities, work, or sports
- Pain and swelling management to support ongoing recovery
Weeks 6-10
After 8 weeks, your bone should have fully healed and your plaster will be removed. You should now be able to fully weight-bear, and your physiotherapy programme at Ace Physio Sports will include:
- Progressive strengthening exercises for the ankle, foot, and lower leg
- Advanced range-of-motion exercises to restore full flexibility
- Balance, coordination, and proprioception training for joint stability
- Gait and functional retraining for walking, climbing stairs, and other daily activities
- Sport- or job-specific exercises if applicable
- Education on injury prevention and safe movement patterns
Summary
ORIF talus is a surgical procedure used to treat a fractured talus bone in the ankle. The operation involves realigning the broken bone and fixing the ends together with metal wires or pins. Success rates of the surgery are high if a good level of strength and fitness is maintained before the operation and improved following surgery. An individualised physiotherapy programme designed by Ace Physio Sports can help you optimise your recovery and return to your previous level of sport or activity as soon as possible. To book an appointment with one of the specialist physiotherapists at Ace Physio Sports, call +65 81535374 today!
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