Symptomatic Accessory Ossicle Near the Medial Malleolus Simulating Fracture Non-union: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction:

Accessory ossicles of the ankle and foot are normal anatomical variants that are usually asymptomatic. The os subtibiale is a rare accessory ossicle located just inferior to the medial malleolus, with a reported prevalence of 0.9–1.2% in the general population. When symptomatic, it can mimic fractures or fracture non-union, leading to diagnostic confusion. Accurate diagnosis relies on careful clinical evaluation and appropriate imaging.

Case Report:

A 20-year-old male presented with persistent pain around the right ankle, 7 months after sustaining a twisting injury while walking. He was initially treated by a local bonesetter and presented late to our facility with unresolved symptoms. Clinical and radiological evaluation initially suggested a medial malleolus fracture non-union. However, further imaging revealed a well-corticated, smooth-margined bone fragment inferior to the medial malleolus, consistent with a symptomatic os subtibiale. The patient underwent open excision of the ossicle under spinal anesthesia. Intraoperative findings confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, ankle range of motion and weight-bearing were initiated as tolerated. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient was pain-free and had regained full ankle function.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the importance of differentiating between a medial malleolus fracture non-union and a symptomatic os subtibiale, particularly in patients presenting late after ankle trauma. Awareness of this rare entity and its imaging characteristics is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management, leading to excellent clinical outcomes.

Learning Point of the Article:

Os subtibiale, though a rare accessory ossicle, can mimic a medial malleolus fracture in acute ankle injuries, making careful clinical and radiological evaluation essential for accurate diagnosis. While most cases respond to conservative treatment, surgical excision provides excellent outcomes in patients with persistent symptoms affecting daily activities.

Introduction

Accessory ossicles of the ankle and foot are normal variations in bone formation. They generally arise from accessory ossification centers adjacent to the main bone [1]. Most accessory ossicles in the ankle and foot are asymptomatic; however, following trauma or overuse, they may develop painful syndromes or degenerative changes. Furthermore, they can sustain or mimic fractures, potentially limiting ankle range of motion [2,3,4].

The os subtibiale is an uncommon accessory bone located just below the medial malleolus, affecting only 0.9–1.2% of individuals [5,6]. This rare anatomical variant may be mistakenly diagnosed and treated as a medial malleolus fracture when symptomatic. In this report, we present the case of a young male patient with a symptomatic os subtibiale who was initially treated by a local bonesetter and presented late to our hospital with persistent ankle pain. The condition was initially confused with a medial malleolus fracture non-union and was ultimately managed with open surgical excision of the ossicle.

Case Report

A 20-year-old male presented to the outpatient department of our tertiary care center with a 7-month history of persistent pain around his right ankle following a twisting injury sustained while walking. He reported difficulty bearing weight on the affected limb immediately after the injury and was able to walk only with significant discomfort. At the time of injury, he sought treatment from a local bonesetter, who performed ankle manipulation and applied a crepe bandage, which was kept in place for approximately 1 month. Although the swelling gradually subsided, the patient continued to experience mild-to-moderate ankle pain. He did not seek hospital-based care at the time of injury; therefore, no initial radiographs were available for review.

On examination, there was mild swelling on the medial aspect of the ankle, with no tenderness over the medial malleolus. A palpable, hard mass was noted just distal to the medial malleolus, which was tender and immobile. Ankle movements were painful.

Plain radiographs revealed a small, oval-shaped bone fragment with rounded, smooth margins, completely separated from the tibia and located distal to the medial malleolus (Fig. 1). Considering the regular, smooth, and non-sclerotic margins, an os subtibiale was regarded as the more likely diagnosis. However, a non-union fracture could not be ruled out, given the history of improper management of a previous ankle injury and persistent pain symptoms not typically associated with accessory ossicles.

Figure 1.

Anteroposterior and mortise view of X-rays showing a small ossicle with rounded, smooth margins and completely separate from tibia.

A computed tomography scan was subsequently performed, which demonstrated smooth, corticated edges on both sides of the radiolucent cleft, with a well-formed medial malleolus and no evidence of sclerotic margins (Fig. 2). These findings confirmed that it was not a fracture non-union. Based on these imaging findings and a review of the literature, a provisional diagnosis of os subtibiale was made.

Figure 2.

3D and coronal view of computed tomography scan of the ankle showing ossicle with smooth, corticated edges.

Despite establishing this diagnosis, the cause of the patient’s pain remained unclear. After a detailed discussion, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained to evaluate the surrounding soft tissues for a potential source of pain. The MRI revealed bone marrow edema within the ossicle and impingement on the deltoid ligament (Fig. 3), which was considered the likely cause of the patient’s symptoms. The medial malleolus appeared well formed, and there was no cartilage continuity with the bone fragment, further confirming the diagnosis of an accessory ossicle.

Figure 3.

Coronal and axial view of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging image of the ankle showing edema within the ossicle and impingement on the deltoid ligament.

The patient was informed about his condition and initially managed conservatively with anti-inflammatory analgesics and ankle support. Although he experienced temporary improvement, persistent medial ankle pain led to the decision to excise the ossicle after a 1-month trial of conservative treatment. Under spinal anesthesia, a direct medial approach was used to excise the ossicle while preserving the deltoid ligament (Fig. 4 and 5). Intraoperative findings confirmed the diagnosis of os subtibiale. Postoperatively, ankle range of motion and weight-bearing were initiated as tolerated from the 1st post-operative day. Sutures were removed 15 days after surgery. At the 1-year follow-up, the patient was pain-free and able to walk and run comfortably, with a full range of motion in the affected ankle.

Figure 4.

Intraoperative image of the ossicle.

Figure 5.

Clinical image of excised ossicle.

Discussion

The os subtibiale is an uncommon accessory ossicle located distal to the medial malleolus. Between the ages of 7 and 10 years, accessory centers of ossification may appear near the medial malleolus; in rare cases, these centers persist into adulthood, forming the so-called os subtibiale [6]. Despite its rarity, this anatomical variant has important clinical implications, as it can be mistaken for more common conditions such as medial malleolus fractures. The ossicle often goes unnoticed unless it becomes symptomatic or is specifically identified during imaging evaluation (Table 1).

Table 1.

Previously reported cases of symptomatic os subtibiale

When symptomatic, the os subtibiale can cause pain and discomfort, typically due to mechanical irritation or stress on surrounding structures. In acute symptomatic cases with a history of ankle injury, it can easily be misdiagnosed as a medial malleolus fracture, as reported by Coral [7] and Madhuri et al. [8]. Coral [7] even fixed the os subtibiale, mistaking it for a fracture, using a tension band technique, and the patient achieved a good recovery. Turan et al. [9] described that the os subtibiale can lead to posterior tibial tendon impingement and tenosynovitis. Their patient was initially managed conservatively for 3 months but eventually underwent surgical excision of the accessory ossicle, resulting in an excellent outcome.

Madhuri et al. [8] outlined several distinguishing features to differentiate the os subtibiale from a fracture. First, on radiographs, the edges of the accessory bone appear smooth and rounded, unlike the irregular margins seen in fractures. Second, the os subtibiale is typically located just beneath the medial malleolus and is often bilateral. Third, the site of maximum tenderness is generally over the adjacent ligaments rather than directly over the medial malleolus. All these findings were evident in our case, except that the patient had direct tenderness over the ossicle, possibly due to edema within the ossicle itself.

The first line of treatment is typically non-operative, involving immobilization, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, and rest, as described by Topal et al. [10]. Madhuri et al. [8] also reported excellent outcomes with conservative management in their cases. In our case, we initially attempted conservative treatment, but the patient did not achieve significant symptom relief.

Surgery is generally reserved for cases in which conservative management fails or when the patient’s symptoms significantly interfere with daily activities. Surgical excision of the os subtibiale often provides substantial symptom relief [9,11,12]. Based on our experience and previously reported cases, excision of the ossicle results in favorable outcomes. Bandyopadhyay [12] described an 18-year-old patient with a symptomatic os subtibiale following trauma who failed conservative treatment and subsequently underwent excision, with intraoperative findings confirming the diagnosis. The procedure may be performed through either an open or arthroscopic approach [9,12,13]. In our case, we opted for open excision of the ossicle.

The prognosis is generally favorable, particularly when the condition is accurately identified and appropriately managed. With correct diagnosis and timely intervention, most patients experience complete symptom resolution and return to pain-free daily activities, as observed in our patient and several previously reported cases.

Conclusion

Os subtibiale is a rare accessory ossicle that is usually asymptomatic but presents a diagnostic challenge when it becomes symptomatic. This case highlights the diagnostic approach and differentiation of os subtibiale from a medial malleolus fracture non-union, as well as the role of MRI in identifying the cause of symptoms in a previously asymptomatic ossicle. Clinicians should consider os subtibiale in the differential diagnosis of medial ankle pain, even in patients with a history of trauma. Awareness of this entity and careful interpretation of imaging can help avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Clinical Message.

A symptomatic os subtibiale can closely mimic a medial malleolus fracture. Awareness of this rare variant and careful imaging evaluation is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management

Biography