A 28-year-old man sustained a displaced talar neck fracture treated with closed reduction and casting. At 7 weeks follow-up, the radiograph shows a linear zone of subchondral lucency beneath the articular surface of the talar dome. This finding indicates:
- A Progressive avascular necrosis of the talus
- B Early post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle
- C An intact blood supply to the talar body ✓
- D Infection of the subtalar joint
Correct answer: C. An intact blood supply to the talar body
Explanation
The Hawkins sign, seen at 6 to 8 weeks, is subchondral osteopenia (lucency) of the talar dome caused by disuse demineralization, which is possible only if the blood supply to the talar body is intact. It predicts a low risk of avascular necrosis. Diffuse sclerosis of the dome, not lucency, suggests loss of vascularity.
Reference: Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.