Closed total talus dislocation: a case report

Abstract

Total dislocation of the talus is caused by a high-energy trauma, that dislocates the talus from all its surrounding articulations. Most cases reported are open talus dislocations; closed dislocations are rarely seen. Complications include avascular necrosis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis and infection. The vascularisation of the talus is delicate and the soft tissue attachments surrounding the talus are important for the blood supply. Closed talus dislocations, closed reduction and careful surgical dissection in case of open reduction respect more soft tissue attachments and potentially reduce the incidence of avascular of necrosis. We describe the case of a 46-year old male patient who sustained a closed total dislocation of the right talus associated with small fractures of the lateral and medial malleolus. The talus could not be reduced by closed means. The malleolar fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation.