[Functional deficits of the foot after calcaneus fracture]

The present study investigated the clinical and functional outcome of calcaneal fractures. 14 patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 52 months. Two groups, group A with good and group B with poor calcaneal restoration were distinguished by Böhler's angle. Ten normal subjects were used for comparison. Clinical results were evaluated with a questionnaire, radiography and range of motion measurements. Plantar pressure patterns were recorded with a capacitive pressure distribution platform. A comparison of the injured and healthy foot of all patients revealed a load shift towards lateral foot regions. A comparison of the patient groups with the controls did not reveal more pronounced changes in the poorly restored group. The results demonstrate that a disturbance of foot function persists even after long healing.