[Gait analysis after intra-articular calcaneus fractures]

We retrospectively compared 20 patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures by clinical assessment and dynamic pedography. Eleven were treated operatively, 9 conservatively. The purpose was to identify differences in post-traumatic gait performance and to correlate the pedographic data to a clinical score to show its reliability. Twenty individuals without a history of foot injuries were used as a control group. Both groups had restricted motion in the subtalar joint, increased hindfoot and midfoot loading and decreased forefoot loading. Furthermore, they showed prolonged contact phases and an impaired ability to speed up gait during the toe-off phase. Load transfer from the hindfoot to the forefoot showed typical distribution patterns. The operatively treated group showed better functional results with fewer subjective complaints.