[Combined "percutaneous and minimal" osteosynthesis for dislocated intra-articular calcaneus fractures]

41 displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus were treated with open reduction, limited internal screw fixation, bone grafting and percutaneous pinning, using an extensile postero-lateral approach. Despite early functional after treatment all fractures healed without secondary displacement in an average time of 8 weeks. At follow-up (average 4.2 years) there was a strict correlation between the clinical results and the severity of articular comminution. A satisfactory outcome seems to depend on the ability to restore the best possible articular congruency and extra-articular alignment of the os calcis. Results and advantages of our method are discussed.