A case report on an unusual elongation of the Sustentaculum tali

Abstract

The sustentaculum tali, as a horizontal shelf of the calcaneus serves as an attachment point for the ligamentous support of the foot. Any variations  on it has therefore been linked to instability factors of the ankle joint. Studies have explored on the possible variations of this bony projection, but  none have been documented on an unusually long elongation of the same. This study examined an unusually elongated sustentaculum tali found located on the left calcaneus of an adult Kenyan calcaneus. The right pair did not bear the same variation. This elongation on the calcaneus revealed that it had a length of 11.68mm, height of 7.68mm and thickness of 2.83mm. This elongated sustentaculum tali, even though a rare case should be considered in the cases of idiopathic subtalar joint instability.

Keywords: Sustentaculum tali, calcaneus