Neglected lateral process of talus fracture presenting as a loose body in tarsal canal

ABSTRACTLateral process fractures of talus are rare injuries with a potential to cause significant morbidity if misdiagnosed. The appropriate management of these fractures is still controversial and only a few reports are available on this subject. We presented a case of a 37-year-old male with neglected fracture on the lateral process of talus which was misdiagnosed at the time of injury. The patient presented to 7 months after misdiagnosis with a chronic ankle pain. Our case is unique in the sense that it is a rare case of neglected fracture on the lateral process of talus which presented as a loose body in sinus tarsi. However, a surgery with an excision of the loose body presented a satisfactory outcome along with 2 years’ follow-up. To our knowledge, it ought to be the first case reported in the English literature. Through this case report, we highlight the importance of high index of suspicion for such rare bony injuries while evaluating trauma to the lateral side of ankle and discuss the principles of management of these fractures.