Congenital subtalar dislocation--a case report

Congenital dislocation of the subtalar joint is one of the rarest forms of presentation of a calcaneo-valgus foot. We report the second case of this type published; an 18-month female child aged was seen with calcaneo-valgus deformity of left foot since birth. She was walking over the medial malleolus and medial border of foot. Radiographs and 3D CT scan of the left foot confirmed the diagnosis of a congenital subtalar dislocation. Surgical correction was achieved through a posterolateral incision, and the reduced joint was fixed with a k-wires for 6 weeks; the foot was immobilized in below knee cast for another 6 weeks, and an ankle foot orthosis was used for another 3 years. At 3 years post-surgical follow up, the child has a plantigrade foot with no functional impairment. Follow up radiographs and 3D CT scan confirmed the maintenance of well aligned talo-calcaneal joint. This type of dislocation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of calcaneo-valgus foot; a clear understanding of the pathology, a precise operative reduction, and long-term use of orthosis results in a favourable outcome.