Osteochondritis Dissecans of Lateral Process of Talus Involving the Subtalar Joint: An Unusual Case

Abstract

Osteochondral dissecans (OCD)of talus is an uncommon injury is often missed initially. We reported a rare case of OCD of the lateral process of talus involving the subtalar joint in a 34-year-old male. Magnetic resonance imaging exhibited degenerative changes at the subtalar joint, with a 12 × 10 × 15-mm subchondral cystic lesion within the lateral part of talus in the posterior subtalar joint and two osseous loose bodies in the lateral compartment, which were removed through the sinus tarsi approach. A 1.2 × 1.5-cm osteochondral fragment distal to the lateral process of talus was noted intraoperatively. The subchondral cyst was excised and the fragment fixed with a 4-mm partially-threaded cannulated cancellous screw. The foot and ankle disability score improved from 26.0 preoperatively to 92.3 at the 1-year follow-up. Thus, talus OCD is an unusual condition that mandates a thorough clinical and radiological work-up and prompt management.