Chondroblastoma of the talus: a case report

Chondroblastoma of bone is an uncommon condition that has a predilection for secondary ossification centers, particularly of the humerus, tibia, and femur. Treatment usually involves surgical curettage and autogenous bone graft. This article reports the case of a chondroblastoma affecting the talus of a young man and a minimally invasive surgical approach for the treatment of this lesion. The patient presented with an 18-month history of right ankle pain and swelling. The lesion involved most of the talar body, with 2.5-cm cortical erosion inferiorly at the posterior talocalcaneal facet. A lateral approach was made to the talus and a window was fashioned at the distal end of the sinus tarsi under fluoroscopic guidance to allow access to the lesion. This was curetted and the defect was filled with autogenous bone graft taken from the ipsilateral iliac crest. The patient underwent an uneventful recovery, and was asymptomatic at follow-up 24 months postsurgery. He had 75% movement at the subtalar joint, when compared with the contralateral foot.