[Long-term follow-up of surgically treated intra-articular calcaneus fractures]

Between 1980 and 1991 we treated 150 joint fractures of the os calcis with open reduction and internal fixation with a special AO-plate. In this report we show the results of 36 fractures in 33 patients after an average follow-up of 89 months (43-132). Patients got back their working ability between 4.6 and 5.6 months. At the time of the clinical control two third of the patients had a working ability of 100%. 4 patients changed their profession due to the poor result of the fracture. 12% of the cases ended in spontaneous or secondary arthrodesis of the lower ankle joint. One third of the patients need orthopedic supports or special shoes. 73% of the patients are satisfied with the result.