[Treatment of injuries of the Chopart joint]

Abstract

Background: Injuries to the Chopart joint of the tarsal foot are relatively rare, difficult to recognize and are associated with significant long term morbidity.

Case description: A 16-year-old boy attended the emergency department after a forklift truck ran over his left foot. Physical examination and X-ray evaluation revealed a fracture of the Chopart joint with a navicular bone fracture and dislocation of the calcaneo-cuboidal joint. Operative open reduction and internal fixation was performed. One year after operative treatment, the patient was able to play sport without functional impairment.

Conclusion: Adequate evaluation on initial presentation of the injury and additional investigations are imperative for the treatment of patients with Chopart joint injuries. Adequate operative reduction and fixation at an early stage will result in good functional recovery.