Subtalar dislocation. A study of nineteen cases

This is a retrospective study of 19 cases of subtalar dislocation treated in our Department during the last 15 years. The average age of the patients was 31, and the majority were male (63%). Medial dislocations predominated (84%) and 37% were open. Associated osteocartilaginous lesions were very frequent and affected 13 patients (68%). Surgery was required for all the open injuries and for 2 of the closed dislocations. Closed reduction was impossible in one, and another required surgery to treat an associated vascular injury. Seventeen of the 19 patients were reviewed after an average of 7.9 years. The results were good in 6, fair in another 6, and poor in the remaining 5. The results of all the open lesions was only fair or poor. Four patients needed a triple arthrodesis. Factors resulting in a poor result were open lesions, associated bone lesions, and prolonged immobilization.