Ankle osteomyelitis: an unusual presentation

Pain around the ankle occurs and is one of the most common complaints seen by medical practitioners treating patients with sporting injuries. Although there are many possible causes of ankle pain, common causes include injuries to the bony, ligamentous and tendinous structures around the joint. Injury to the cartilage leading to early arthritis can present as acute pain, swelling and instability. Acute osteomyelitis in this healthy, active population without any open injury is rare. We present a case of a traumatic cause of osteomyelitis affecting the hindfoot bones and resulting in significant bone injury and disability from a closed footballing injury.