Does Ligamentotaxis Reduce the Risk of Avascular Necrosis of the Talus after Lateral Subtalar Dislocation

Abstract

Lateral subtalar dislocations are rare and severe injuries caused by high‑energy trauma, and they require urgent treatment. We reported  two cases of lateral subtalar dislocation, which were treated with different methods. In case of open lateral subtalar dislocation, we used  the method of distractional external fixation; the final outcome was good, without avascular necrosis of the talus. The case of closed subtalar dislocation has been treated with open reduction and K‑wires fixation. The final outcome was poor, with avascular necrosis of  the talus. Our opinion is that ligamentotaxis of the ankle and subtalar joint with unilateral external fixation unloads the talus and reduces  the possibility of the development of avascular necrosis of the talus.