Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Bipartite talus: a case series and algorithm for treatment
B Rose1, C Southgate, L Louette
1Department of Orthopaedics, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St. Peters Road, Margate, Kent CT9 4AN, UK. barryrose@doctors.org.uk
Background:
Bipartite talus is a rare condition of uncertain aetiology, with various treatment options described.
Methods:
We report five symptomatic bipartite talus cases in four male patients warranting surgical management. All patients were reviewed by an independent assessor.
Results:
The youngest patient presented with bilateral lesions without sub-talar arthrosis. He was treated twice by internal fixation with bone grafting. The left side failed to unite. The second patient presented with isolated sub-talar osteoarthritis. He underwent fragment excision and sub-talar arthrodesis with bone graft. The third patient presented aged 55 with severe hind-foot osteoarthritis, and underwent tibio-talar-calcaneal fusion. The final patient was treated with fragment excision and sub-talar arthrodesis. All patients reported symptom improvement or resolution post-operatively. Four cases showed evidence of radiographic union.
Conclusions:
We suggest a treatment rationale of fragment fusion if large enough, or excision if not, with associated limited fusion if the adjacent joints are markedly degenerate.
