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Hawkins sign



- Discussion:
    - sign provides evidence of revascularization of talar body;
    - indicated by patchy subchondral osteoporosis at approx 6-8 weeks;
    - appearance of decreased subchondral bone density (subchondral resporption) in the dome of talus 6 to 8 wks following injury indicates that there is sufficient vascular supply to bone to allow normal disuse osteopenia to occur;
            - suggests that the bone segment has adequate circulation, and that normal healing is occuring;
    - it is important to look at Mortise x-ray & not lateral because fibula can sometimes cause increasead density of body of talus, which can sometimes be mistaken for vascular changes


Prognostic reliability of the hawkins sign in fractures of the talus.