Subtalar subluxation in ballet dancers

Ankle injuries frequently occur in dancers. Among these injuries, only a fe w cases of talar subluxation have been reported in the literature. In our s eries, we diagnosed and treated 25 subtalar subluxations over a 1-year peri od in the Ballet Bejart Lausanne company. The subluxations occurred after a grand plie on pointes or at the landing of a jump on demi-pointes, without any mechanism of ankle sprain. The dancer usually noted a sudden and sharp pain in the talonavicular joint and hindfoot with a feeling of "forward di splacement" of the foot. At palpation, the talonavicular ligament, the ante rior talofibular ligament, and the posteromedial part of the subtalar joint were painful. A limitation of the ankle extension and a clear hypomobility of the subtalar joint were noted, Under the effect of shearing forces on t he midtarsal joint, a posteromedial subtalar subluxation occurred. Treatmen t consisted of a manipulation that reduced the subluxation, Continuous tapi ng, which locks the talonavicular joint in the anterior direction, was reco mmended for 6 weeks. Dancing could be resumed in a swimming pool after 2 we eks, and on the ground after 3 to 4 weeks. We found that subluxation could recur, and that it could eventually become chronic.