J Korean Fract Soc.  1999 Apr;12(2):328-334.

The prognostic factors in Tongue shaped calcaneal fractures treated by Essex-Lopresti method

• Kim JO
• Kim DW
• Koh YD
• Yoo JD
• Lee DW

Abstract

There is a great difference in opinion regarding the treatment of intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus. In Essex-Lopresti method, a heavy Steinmann pin is introduced into the cancellous part of tongue fragment and the fracture is reduced by lifting the fragment by the level effect of the Steinmann pin. The authors had treated 38 cases in 36 patients with displaced intraarticular tongue shaped fractures using Essex-Lopresti axial fixation at our hospital from 1993 to 1997. We obtained the following results. 1. Of 36 patients, 31 patients were male and 5 female 2. The main cause of fractures were fall from height in 86 percent of cases and spine injury was associated in 8 cases(22%). 3. The favorable result was obtained in 29 cases(76%). 4. The poor prognostic factors in functional outcome were old age, comminution of fracture, osteoporosis and the loss of correction in B.. ohler angle at postoperative and follow up Xrays.

Keyword

Calcaneus; Tongue shaped intraarticular fracture; Essex-Lopresti axial fixation

MeSH Terms

Calcaneus
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Intra-Articular Fractures
Lifting
Male
Osteoporosis
Spine
Tongue*