# Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Using a Posterolateral Approach for a Posterolateral Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus: A Case Report

**Authors:** Yu Kobai, Takahide Sasaki, Yukihiro Nakagawa, Hiroshi Yamada

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102542 · Cureus · 2026-01-29

## TL;DR

This case report describes a successful open surgery for a rare ankle injury using a specific surgical approach.

## Contribution

The paper presents the first reported case of open surgery using a posterolateral approach for a rare posterolateral osteochondral lesion of the talus.

## Key findings

- A 24-year-old man with a posterolateral osteochondral lesion of the talus underwent successful open reduction and fixation.
- The posterolateral surgical approach provided effective access to the lesion and resulted in a favorable clinical outcome.

## Abstract

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) are characterized by damage to the articular cartilage and subchondral bone, resulting in ankle pain. In open surgical management of OLT, selecting an appropriate approach to the talus based on lesion location is a major challenge. Posterolateral OLTs are rare, and no previous studies have reported open surgery using a posterolateral approach for these lesions. This report describes a 24-year-old man with a posterolateral OLT who underwent open reduction and fixation via a posterolateral approach and achieved a favorable outcome. This case provides clinically relevant information for considering open surgical approaches to posterolateral OLT.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** OLT (MESH:D010007), blister (MESH:D001768), nonunion (MESH:C538144), swelling (MESH:D004487), fractures (MESH:D050723), ankle pain (MESH:D010146), injuries (MESH:D014947), malunion (MESH:D017759), chondral damage (MESH:D020263), sprains (MESH:D013180), ankle instability (MESH:D016512), posterolateral lesion (MESH:D009059)
- **Chemicals:** hydroxyapatite (MESH:D017886), poly-L-lactic acid (MESH:C033616)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949484/full.md

## References

18 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949484/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949484