Shepherd's fracture is a fracture of which talar structure?

Shepherd's fracture is a fracture of which talar structure?

• A. Posterolateral tubercle of the talus
• B. Posterior talar process
• C. Talar neck
• D. Posteromedial tubercle of the talus

Answer: (A)

Shepherd’s fracture involves the posterolateral tubercle of the talus, the small bump on the back of the talus on the outer (lateral) side. This fragment is typically avulsed by the posterior talofibular ligament during an inversion/plantarflexion injury and is often seen with subtalar dislocation. Because the piece is small and posterior, it can be missed on standard X-rays, so lateral views or CT can help confirm it. The other options describe different parts or regions of the talus—a larger portion of the posterior process, the talar neck, or the posteromedial tubercle—so they don’t match the specific location associated with Shepherd’s fracture.

Shepherd’s fracture involves the posterolateral tubercle of the talus, the small bump on the back of the talus on the outer (lateral) side. This fragment is typically avulsed by the posterior talofibular ligament during an inversion/plantarflexion injury and is often seen with subtalar dislocation. Because the piece is small and posterior, it can be missed on standard X-rays, so lateral views or CT can help confirm it. The other options describe different parts or regions of the talus—a larger portion of the posterior process, the talar neck, or the posteromedial tubercle—so they don’t match the specific location associated with Shepherd’s fracture.