Posterior subtalar joint dislocation with associated fracture of talus and soft tissue injury: A case report

Abstract

Posterior subtalar joint dislocation is rare type entity of peritalar dislocations or more accurately called Talocalcaneal-navicular (TCN) dislocations. As far as the previous literature and our search is concerned, very little data is available. Only few cases of posterior subtalar dislocation have been reported in detail till the date. This article presents a case of posterior subtalar joint dislocation in a 40-year-old male, a laborer by occupation presented to us in emergency department with pain, swelling and deformity in his left ankle due to fall from height. Patient landed on the floor with body upright, left foot inverted, and plantar flexed. Radiographs and CT scan demonstrated talocalcaneal-navicular dislocation associated with fracture posterior process of talus. In MR imaging TCN joint effusion, partial tear of talofibular, deep fibers of deltoid ligament and marrow edema of subtalar joint were found. Immediate post injury closed reduction and immobization in plaster slab or cast is the recommended treatment for such kind of ankle injuries. But when closed reduction is not possible as in our case it was a 15 days old neglected case of posterior subtalar joint dislocation, closed reduction and internal fixation followed by immobilization in plaster slab or cast is the treatment of choice.