Functional outcome (SF-36) of patients with displaced calcaneal fractures compared to SF-36 normative data

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the general health status after treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures compared to normative data, other orthopaedic procedures, and other medical conditions.

Methods: Three hundred and twelve patients between 25 and 64 years of age were treated for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures at a Level I trauma center. Followup ranged from 2 to 8 years. The Short Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36) was used for outcome measurement.

Results: The scores in eight SF-36 categories in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures differed by more than five points from the population norms. This suggests that there is clinical and social relevance to this injury. Outcomes in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures were not as good across most SF-36 categories as were outcomes of patients with other orthopaedic conditions. Outcomes in patients with intraarticular calcaneal fractures also were worse across most categories than outcomes in patients who had organ transplants or myocardial infarctions.

Conclusion: By comparing treatment for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures with treatment for orthopaedic problems or other disease processes, we concluded that intraarticular calcaneal fractures are serious life-changing events.