Open reduction in depressed fractures of the os calcis

Fifty-two patients with subtalar joint involvement secondary to os calcis fractures have been treated with a surgical technique designed by George F. Pennal. There were 23 tongue-type fractures and 33 joint depression fractures in this series. All were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, and occasionally also by bone grafting. Patients have been followed from two to seven years from the time of their injury, and the results indicate that 39 of the patients are relatively symptom-free and doing the same work as they had done prior to their injury. Nine patients have required some modification of their work, and four patients were classified as failures. Treatment of depressed fractures of the subtalar joint by this method produces relatively predictable results.