Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of a geriatric bipartite talus: A case report

RATIONALE: Bipartite talus is a rare anatomical variation characterized by the division of the talus into 2 distinct fragments by a cartilaginous or fibrocartilaginous interface. Clinically, bipartite talus primarily manifests as posterior ankle pain accompanied by joint stiffness and start-up pain, necessitating differentiation from the posterior talus triangle. Currently, reported cases of bipartite talus are scarce, particularly among elderly patients, and treatment protocols remain scarcely reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old female patient presented with persistent pain and limited mobility in the posterior aspect of her left ankle over the past 2 years, with symptoms significantly worsening 1 year prior. She presented no history of trauma or infection. Physical examination revealed mild posterior swelling, tenderness in the posterolateral region, and pain on initiation of movement. There was mild limitation of plantar flexion in the left ankle joint. Imaging examinations including x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a fairly large bone fragment. DIAGNOSES: Bipartite talus (left side). INTERVENTIONS: Perform arthroscopic surgery on the patient. OUTCOMES: The patient's pain and joint mobility limitations showed significant improvement. LESSONS: Arthroscopic technology can be used as an effective means of treating traumatic bipartite talus with minimal trauma and rapid recovery. However, its long-term efficacy needs to be verified by a larger sample size and longer follow-up.