The authors relate nine cases of pure traumatic dislocation of the tibio talar joint and propose to evaluate the clinical and radiological results at a long term follow-up (mean 12 years).
The series included 9 patients (7 men and 2 women) the average age was 33,2 years. The injury was a road traffic accident in 5 cases. Pure dislocation variety of the ankle joint was medial and posteromedial in 6 cases. Open skin injury was found in 7 cases. The mean follow-up was 12 years (5-19 years). 6 patients were reviewed by the same surgeon, 6 patients were examined clinically and with ankle X-rays. All patients except one were treated by reduction, immobilization with a plaster cast for 6 to 8 weeks. The joint was examined radiographically to detect the presence of tibio talar diastasis and degenerative arthritis.
At term we had two very good results and 3 good results (no pain or pain occasionally). We have found in 5 cases a degenerative arthritis to the ankle joint (joint narrowing <50 per cent in 3 cases, > to 50 per cent in 2 cases). No joint instability was noted at revision.
Pure traumatic dislocation of the tibio talar joint is a rare injury. Medial and posteromedial variety are not frequent. Immediate gravity is dominated by vascular and septic complications and long term result by degenerative arthritis.
The authors think that closed dislocations need orthopedic treatment (closed reduction and immobilization with a plaster cast for 6 weeks), on the other hand, open dislocation need surgical treatment (reduction, ligamentous reconstruction and immobilization in a plaster cast for 6 weeks).