Results after operative treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with a minimum follow-up of 2 years

Abstract

Thirty-one patients with 33 displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus were treated with open reduction and internal fixation in our hospital between 1989 and 1995. The fractures were classified according to the CT-classification of Crosby [Crosby, L. A. and Fitzgibbons, T., Computerized tomography scanning of acute intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1990, 72A, 852-859] and Hannover [Zwipp, H. and Tscherne, H. et al., Osteosynthesis dislozierter intraartikulärer calcaneusfrakturen. Unfallchirurg, 1988, 91, 507-515]. The minimal follow-up was 2 years. Functional results were assessed at 6 and 12 months and in February 1997 using the Creighton calcaneal score. Overall results improved during follow-up, especially in the first year. At the final control the overall results were: excellent/good 73%, fair 21% and poor 6%. The results are comparable with larger series in the literature. The average range of motion in the subtalar joint was 65% of normal. No correlation was found between clinical outcome and the subtalar range of motion. Two patients received a secondary arthrodesis for painful arthrosis.