Return to Sport for Adolescent Medial Subtalar Dislocation With Concomitant Osseous and Ligamentous Injuries After Successful Nonoperative Management: A Case Report and Rehabilitation Protocol

BACKGROUND: Medial subtalar dislocations are rare in adolescent patients, presenting treatment challenges. While several reports of nonoperative 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 that the patient would be best treated with nonoperative 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 months follow-up, the patient reported nearly 100% return to prior sport performance via 2 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. JOSPT Cases 2025;5(1):43-49. Epub 12 December 2024. 10.2519/josptcases.2024.0041