[Computed tomography of intra-articular calcaneal fractures]

The increasing number of operations on intraarticular calcaneal fractures created the need for a fast, reproducible method to examine the weight-bearing posterior talo-calcaneal joint. High resolution CT scanning in an almost coronal plane without reformating was done in 25 calcaneal fractures. Joint alignment and fragment dislocation were demonstrated more precisely than would have been possible with conventional studies. Three typical fractures were found: The lambda type, the y type and the comminution type. Follow-up studies showed osteo-arthritis, intraarticular degenerative changes of the articular surface and impingement of personeal tendons as possible causes of pain.