Surgical Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures

Kang, Koon Soon; Jahng, Jun Seop; Park, Bui Wan; Kang, Ho Jung; Shin, Dong Eun

Abstract

The Os Calcis is the largest bone of the tarsal bones. The incidence of fracture of the calcaneus is more frequent than that of any other tarsal bones. Farctures involving subtalar joint can usually cause serious and persistent disabilities and badly influence the patients psychologically, socially and economically. But, there was no standardized treatment method for these fractures. The purpose of this article is to describe the surgical technique and the results obtained in 33 consecutive cases of calcaneal fractures involving the subtalar joint. The results were as follows, 1. Of 33 patients, 24 patients were male and 9 patients were female. 2. The main cause of fracture of calcaneus was a fall from a height in 79% of cases. Most of the associated fractures were the spinal and tibial fractures. 3. Of these intra-articular fractures, 19 fractures were joint depression type and 14 cases were tongue type by Essex-Lopresti classification. 4. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 18 cases of joint depression type and 6 cases of tongue type, and closed reduction and axial pinning was performed in 8 cases of tongue type and 1 case of joint depression type. 5. After average twenty-two months follow-up, the over all results of open reduction and internal fixation were excellent and good in 71%, and that of closed reduction and axial pinning were excellent and good in 67% by Salama creteria. 6. Complications included four superficial wound infection and one subluxation of peroneal tendon.