Open reduction of a total talar dislocation: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND Total talar dislocation (TTD) is very uncommon for many orthopedic surgeons and emergency/ trauma specialists. Scarce cases of TTD have been reported, mainly in the form of open fracture-dislocation injury. CASE SUMMARY We report a very rare injury of closed TTD with a follow-up period of 36 mo. Initial dosed reduction was not successful because of a fractured highly unstable medial malleolus displaced into the ankle mortise, blocking the relocation of the talus. the patient was able to walk pain-free after the 3rd month of surgery. At the 36-mo follow-up, there were 10 degrees of flexion loss and 10 degrees of extension loss in the tibiotalar joint. Furthermore, 5 degrees of subtalar joint inversion-eversion loss was present. CONCLUSION Open reduction should be performed for dosed TTDs unless dosed reduction is successful.