Can you walk with avascular necrosis of the talus?

Talar necrosis generally does not allow walking, as weight-bearing may further worsen the condition.

The talus, together with the distal tibia and distal fibula, forms the ankle joint—the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body. The talus is one of the proximal tarsal bones in higher vertebrates and primarily supports body weight. Once necrosis occurs, walking may further disrupt blood supply to the talus, potentially leading to extensive talar necrosis and even structural changes such as collapse of the talus. When the talus collapses or its articular surface is damaged, continued walking may result in traumatic arthritis of the ankle joint, ultimately causing complete loss of ankle function. Therefore, walking should be avoided.

If patients need to move around, using a wheelchair or crutches is recommended to avoid weight-bearing on the affected foot. At the same time, actively following medical advice and receiving appropriate treatment can achieve a certain degree of recovery. Failure to comply with medical instructions and continuing to walk may rapidly accelerate the progression of talar necrosis.