EC Orthopaedics

Osteochondral injuries are described as a disruption between the cartilage and sub-chondral bone which leads to damage to the joint cartilage and ultimately can lead to separation of the fragment. Osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral lesions and osteochondral fractures or defects are the various terms that have been used in the literature to describe these injuries. They are common injuries and can occur concurrently with ankle fractures. Most of these injuries are in the talar dome region [1].

To our knowledge, there have been no reports of osteochondral fractures of the talus leading to a completely locked ankle joint. Though locked knee is a common presentation due to meniscal tears, loose bodies or displaced osteochondral fractures, it is unusual for the same to occur in the ankle [2]. Locked ankles have been reported in the literature post displaced ankle fractures or ligament injuries. However, locked ankles due to a displaced osteochondral talar fragment are rare.

We report a case of a young male who sustained a twisting injury to his right ankle while playing recreational football and presented with a painful locked ankle. He was successfully treated by open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced talar osteochondral fracture fragment using a TwistCut screw. He made an excellent recovery post-operatively with full ankle function.

This report highlights osteochondral fracture of the talus as a rare cause of a locked ankle and will help physicians in keeping this possibility in mind while treating a case of locked ankle.

 Keywords: Locked Ankle; Osteochondral Fracture; Talus; Injury; Fixation

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