Endoscopic Posterolateral Subtalar Release

Abstract Subtalar stiffness is a late complication of calcaneal fractures. It can lead to tightness discomfort and difficulty in walking on uneven surface. Open subtalar release is not a good choice because the extensive surgical wound prohibits early vigorous mobilization exercise. Endoscopic subtalar release has the advantage of smaller surgical wounds, so immediate vigorous mobilization is allowed. In case of joint‐depression calcaneal fracture, the formation of posterior calcaneal spur is one of the contributing factors of subtalar stiffness. The purpose of this technical note is to describe the details of endoscopic posterolateral subtalar release. In this endoscopic approach, the posterior calcaneal spur is resected together with soft‐tissue release of the posterior and lateral sides of the posterior subtalar joint.