Irreducible fracture of the calcaneus due to flexor hallucis longus tendon interposition.

An unusual fracture-dislocation of the calcaneus is presented in which tendinous interposition in the subtalar joint prevented the possibility of closed reduction. This situation has been reported in the literature in only five previous patients. The position of the flexor hallucis tendon in the joint could be visualized on the preoperative computed tomographic scan. The patient was treated operatively with reduction through a lateral approach without a supplemental medial incision.