Return-to-Sport for Adolescent Medial Subtalar Dislocation with Concomitant Osseous and Ligamentous Injuries after Successful Non-Operative Management: A Case Report and Rehabilitation Protocol

BACKGROUND: Medial subtalar dislocations are rare in adolescent patients, presenting treatment challenges. While several reports of non-operative management of adolescent medial subtalar dislocation exist in the literature, no report to date has addressed rehabilitation specifics for successful return-to-sport. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is a 17-year-old male who sustained an acute traumatic left medial subtalar dislocation with concomitant ligamentous and osseous injuries during a soccer game. After examination and appropriate imaging, it was determined the patient would be best treated with non-operative management and underwent a progressive exercise rehabilitation program for successful return-to-sport. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: After rehabilitation, the patient was able to return-to-sport after 25 weeks with full return to prior soccer performance. At 13 month follow-up, patient reported nearly 100% return to prior sport performance via two patient-reported outcome measures. DISCUSSION: This case report and rehabilitation protocol illustrates a successful return-to-sport for a rare and devastating orthopedic injury in an adolescent.