Abstract

Subacute osteomyelitis of the talus is relatively rare and usually run an indolent course with symptoms such as pain, limping, and an antalgic gait with associated little or no constitutional symptom of low-grade fever. We present a case report of an 18-year-old female secondary school student in Niamey, Niger Republic who had a one-year history of recurrent pain in the right ankle, limping, and an absence of constitutional symptoms. Physical examination, radiological imaging, and histopathological results were in keeping with a diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis of the talus. She underwent surgical debridement and a course of antibiotic therapy. She made an uneventful recovery but had residual short limb gait. In conclusion, subacute osteomyelitis of the talus is uncommon, a good outcome can be achieved with surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment.