Chronic Fracture of the Posteromedial Tubercle of the Talus Masquerading as Os Trigonum Syndrome

Abstract

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) can be caused by osseous pathology from the posterior aspect of the talus. The commonest cause is an os trigonum, an accessory ossicle arising from the lateral tubercle of the posterior talus. We have observed cases where the osseous impingement is due to a chronic fracture nonunion of the medial tubercle of the posterior talus with unique symptoms, differentiating this clinical syndrome from the more common os trigonum syndrome. These can be readily overlooked on imaging and confused with an often coexisting os trigonum. Awareness of these lesions is paramount to ensure appropriate management and safe surgery. We describe a series of patients presenting to the senior author with this clinical syndrome, discuss its unique clinical and radiological features, and describe our surgical technique.