Hawkins Sign

Description

Hawkins sign indicates the presence of a subchondral radiolucency in the talar dome region, visible in an ankle mortise X-ray view. This radiolucency results from subchondral bone resorption that occurs when there is maintained blood supply, typically observed between six to eight weeks following an injury. The presence of the Hawkins sign suggests that the talar body remains viable with preserved vascularity, making the occurrence of avascular necrosis (AVN) very unlikely. However, it's important to note that the Hawkins sign is not 100% specific; its absence does not definitively indicate the development of AVN.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251129

Specialties