[Surgical management of intraarticular calcaneus fractures]

We evaluated the midterm results of surgical treatment for intraarticular calcaneal fractures.

This study included 19 feet of 14 patients with intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus. Twelve patients were males and two were females (mean age 28.3 years; range 17 to 54 years). The fractures were bilateral in five patients. In one patient the contralateral foot was treated conservatively. Anteroposterior, lateral, and tangential radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in all patients preoperatively. According to the Sanders CT classification, there were 10 type II, five type III, and four type IV fractures. An extensile lateral incision was performed in all patients but one to provide an anatomic reduction with the use of Sherman plates, screws, and staples. The patients were followed-up by radiographs and CT. The results were evaluated using the Maryland Foot Score. The mean follow-up was 32.7 months (range 24 to 43 months).

Radiographs and CT scans obtained in the early postoperative period showed that a complete anatomic reduction was achieved in 13 feet. According to the Maryland Foot Score, the results were excellent in five, good in eight, fair in four, and poor in two feet. None of the patients required a subsequent operation due to surgery-associated causes.

The success of surgical treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures depends only on the achievement of an anatomic reduction and on maintaining it with a stable osteosynthesis using appropriate strength hardware.