Impairment and return to work after intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus

Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus typically occur in individuals working on ladders, scaffolding or roofs. Male individuals in their productive age are most at risk. The functional problems that frequently persist are a well-known risk since they may obstruct a safe resumption of the former job. According to the data of the National Institute for Sickness and Invalidity Insurance the number of calcaneal fractures in Belgium have stabilised over the last ten years. These figures indicate the necessity for a better prevention policy. Scientific literature about the problem of impairment and disability in these cases is rare and lacks uniformity. A retrospective study was therefore performed on 65 private insurance compensation patients who were treated for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The mean period of work incapacity was 260.5 days and the mean percentage of impairment was 12.3%. A large group (86.2%) were able to resume their former activities including the height workers. More than half of the patients (57%) needed a supportive device. Working at heights and falls from a height were a significant risk factor for long-term work incapacity. The figures are compared with the limited literature and further discussed.