Closed Pan-talar Dislocation with Posterior Talar Process Fracture

ABSTRACTTotal dislocation of the talus has been reported as 0.06% of all dislocations and 2% of all talar fractures. It usually occurs from considerable violence. Total dislocation of the talus is frequently an open injury, or the skin may be tented over the dislocated talus leading to skin slough. Closed total dislocation of talus with posterior process injury is rare. The functional prognosis is poor due to osteonecrosis of the talus which develops in the majority of cases. Review of literature reported successful closed reduction in cases of closed pan-talar dislocation under anesthesia. However, there were few cases where there was difficulty in closed reduction. Operative technique has also been described in different reports of similar cases.Case reportWe present a case of pan-talar dislocation of the left talus in a 25-year-old road accident victim, with posterior talar process fracture. Reduction of dislocation was attempted in emergency department by external manipulation. Reduction process failed, and hence planned for reduction under anesthesia. It required a open reduction after a unsuccessful closed reduction attempt. The talus after reduction was found to be unstable hence, stabilized with trans-calcaneotalar Steinmann pin. At 1-year follow-up, the right ankle was pain free and stable. Motion was satisfactory. The talus after a follow-up of 1 year did not show any signs of subluxation or avascular necrosis.ConclusionThe main obstacle to closed reduction appeared to be talus had button holed through dorsal fascia. The talus after reduction was found to be unstable hence stabilized with trans-calcaneotalar Steinmann pin. The management of the associated fracture will depend on many factors, particularly displacement of the fracture fragments.How to cite this articleKumar MP, Gopinath KM, Kumar BNR, Balaji GAG. Closed Pan-talar Dislocation with Posterior Talar Process Fracture. J Med Sci 2015;1(2):32-35.