Transient osteoporosis of the talus

Abstract We report the case of a 60-year-old male who presented to the orthopaedic clinic with transient osteoporosis of the talus. Clinical and radiological findings, particularly MRI, were consistent with previous reports of this rare and poorly-understood condition. Interestingly, this patient presents with two separate but similar episodes of ankle pain documented over a 6-year period, and the suggestion is made of recurrence of transient osteoporosis in the same bone, with the severity of the recurring episode being notably greater than the initial one. The Mazur foot and ankle scoring system was used to assess function throughout this period of follow-up. Both episodes resolved over time with conservative management only, i.e. rest, elevation and simple (non-NSAID) analgesia. Transient osteoporosis is otherwise known as bone marrow oedema syndrome, although controversy surrounds its nomenclature and aetiology as a distinctive self-limiting disease.