[Clinical and functional assessment in the treatment of os calcis fractures. Open and closed reduction]

In this prospective, longitudinal, comparative, observational study 15 patients with 17 fractures were reviewed from September 1st 2006 to December 31st 2007 and followed-up by the outpatient service at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks and at one year. All patients were assessed with the Maryland functional scale. These fractures were more frequent among males, 94%, and mean age was 35 years. The main cause was falls from a height of more than 2 meters. The left side was the most frequently involved (59%). Fractures were classified according to Sanders tomography classification system. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed with a specialized os calcis plate in 7 cases; 5 were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation with a cannulated screw, and 5 with a long leg cast device. The most common complication was wound dehiscence that occurred in 10% of the cases. The assessment with the Maryland scale was done at 20 weeks with the following results: 4 excellent (23.5%), 3 good (17.6%), 6 fair (35.3%), and 4 poor (23.5%). The objective of this paper was to make a clinical and functional comparison among the 3 treatment modalities in patients with os calcis fracture.