Long-term Results of Operative Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures

This paper presents the long-term results of surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures, including subjective evaluation, orthopaedic examination and radiographic evaluation.

A total of 126 patients with 135 calcaneal fractures were treated surgically at the Department of Traumatology of the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw between 2008 and 2012. The analysis involves 73 patients (53 persons were lost to follow-up), including 45 men (61.6%). The mean age of the patients was 46.2 years (18-77 years). Based on imaging studies, patients required specific surgical techniques: the minimally invasive Westhues method involving fixation with a bundle of K-wires or open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screws. The outcomes of the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures were assessed on the basis of a subjective evaluation and orthopaedic and radiographic examinations. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.

Based on the Creighton-Nebraska scores, in the group of patients treated with a bundle of K-wires (minimally invasive Westhues method), there were 12 excellent results (42.8%), 5 good (17.9%), 6 satisfactory (21.4%) and 5 poor (17.9%). In the group of patients treated with a plate and screws, excellent and good results (58.1%) prevailed in Sanders type II fractures. Most of the poor results were recorded in patients with type IV fractures. In general, radiographic results were better than functional and subjective evaluation. A statistically significant relationship between the subjective outcome of treatment and patient age was found (p <0.001). The least satisfying results were found for patients younger than 39 years of age.

1. The key to success in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures is appropriate restoration of Bôhler's angle 2. A good or excellent radiographic outcome did not always coincide with good functional results and good subjective evaluation 3. The poorer subjective scores in younger patients resulted from their inability to return to pre-injury activity levels.