Open Ankle Dislocation without Associated Malleolar Fracture

Abstract

Open ankle dislocation without an associated fracture is an extremely rare injury. We present the case of a 24-year-old male athlete who had sprained his left ankle during volleyball playing. He sustained an open posteromedial dislocation of his left ankle, without an associated malleolar fracture. The treatment consisted of wound irrigation, debridement, reduction, and suture of the skin, followed by immobilization with a short leg cast. The ankle was immobilized in a neutral position for 8 weeks, and weight bearing was restricted for the first 6 weeks. At the 3-month follow-up visit, the patient reported that both ankle and feet had regained full, pain-free range of motion. At the 6-month follow-up visit, he returned to sports activities. At 9 months of follow-up, the patient participated in volleyball games at the same level as before his injury. At 2 years after the initial injury, he did not have any clinical complaints, and his ankle had no clinical or subjective signs of instability.