Subtalar dislocations

Subtalar dislocations are uncommon injuries. In an effort to obtain accurate information, eight recent major series (more than five patients) were summarized, including the experience at the authors' institution between 1975 and 1985 (12 patients). Medial dislocations predominated (79.5%), lateral injuries accounted for 17% of cases, and posterior (2.5%) and anterior (1%) dislocations were infrequent. Associated fractures with medial (55%) and lateral (72%) dislocations were common. Open injuries with lateral dislocations (25%) were more common, and avascular necrosis was uncommon (4%-5%). Males predominated (81%). It was evident that symptomatic subtalar instability occurred in younger patients treated with shorter periods of immobilization.