Fracture of the Posteromedial Tubercle of the Talus: Case Series of Fifteen Patients Along with Cadaveric Dissection and Anatomic Considerations for Surgical Approach

CATEGORY: Ankle; Hindfoot; Trauma INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Fractures of the talus are among the most commonly fractured bone of the foot, with 10 to 21% involving the posterior process. These fractures have not been well characterized or reported in the literature and is limited to case reports and case series. The primary objective of this study is to characterize posterior process fractures, describe a surgical approach for open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with the use of cadaveric dissection pictures of surgical technique and describe 15 cases. METHODS: A search query of the institutional database was performed for all adult patients that sustained talar fractures at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2018. Patients sustaining posterior process talus fractures who underwent operative fixation and nonoperative treatment were identified. All radiographs and CT images were then reviewed by three orthopedic surgeons and the electronic medical record was reviewed for injury characteristics, method of operative fixation, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: 15 cases of posterior process fractures were identified. Overall, 4 patients had fixation placed in the posterior process fracture while 11 did not. None of the patients who underwent ORIF of the posterior process developed subtalar arthritis at their latest follow-up, while 3 of the 11 (27.3%) that did not receive fixation suffered from subtalar arthritis and 1 (9.1%) required surgery for removal of retained loose bodies. 13 patients (86.67%) initially had plain radiographs that missed the diagnosis. Cadaveric specimens were used to illustrate surgical approach for ORIF of these talus fractures. Anatomic pictures of the surgical dissection were taken to show the extent of exposure to the posterior process fracture using traditional techniques, as well as methods of distraction to enhance visualization are demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Providers must have high suspicion for posterior process talus fractures as many are missed on the initial radiographs. CT scans are recommended for all patients with subtalar dislocations. Those with subtalar dislocation tend to have comminuted fragments. Significant morbidity is associated with this injury regardless of whether it is treated operatively or nonoperatively. We describe a surgical technique using distractors to adequately visualize the posteromedial process fracture of the talus.