Irreducible Ankle Fracture Dislocation Due to Tibialis Posterior Tendon Interposition: A Case Report

Traumatic ankle fractures and dislocations that fail closed reduction present a challenging set of circumstances that can potentially lead to unnecessary complications and require surgical intervention. Interposition of adjacent tendons occurs rarely and can obstruct the anatomic realignment. Because of the potential for neurovascular compromise and possible skin tension necrosis, an irreducible fracture dislocation must be addressed with open reduction and internal fixation. The present case details an unusual, low-energy, external rotation ankle fracture and dislocation that was incapable of skeletal traction relocation. The present report also details the intraoperative finding of a complex injury pattern.