Fracture of lateral process of the talus presenting as ankle pain

Abstract

The case is presented of a 27 year old woman with lateral ankle pain after an inversion injury sustained while dancing. Although initial radiographs failed to identify the fracture, radiographs of the ankle at six weeks showed an unsuspected fracture of the lateral process of the talus. The fracture was treated with cast immobilisation for six weeks and the patient is currently undergoing aggressive physiotherapy. A literature review revealed that fractures of the lateral process of the talus are frequently overlooked and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute and chronic ankle pain as an early diagnosis and treatment prevent long term complications.