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Ball and socket ankle joint

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Long standing ankle pain. Born with 4 toes!

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

The ankle joint has the appearance of a ball and socket joint meaning it can articulate in multiple planes not just dorsi and plantar flexion as per usual. Note fusion of the tarsal bones (talus, calcaneum, cuboid and navicular). The middle cuneiform is absent as is the second ray.

Case Discussion

Can be congenital or acquired. In the congenital form, it is usually associated with talar fusions and/or absent rays and allows for increased movement at the ankle given that the hindfoot is rigid.

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