title: Results of operative treatment for intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus.
abstract: Since 1980 our treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures consists of open reduction with distractor, bone grafting, and internal fixation. Thereby no splints are applied and early postoperative movement is possible. For precise preoperative planning a CT scan is required. Proper timing and careful preoperative planning are essential to prevent soft-tissue complications. In a total of 16 fractures good clinical and radiologic results were achieved in 50% of the cases; results were satisfactory in 25% and poor in 25%. The patients returned to work after an average of 5 months. Only three patients (19%) received disability compensations, which compares favorably with nonoperative treatment. We believe that a majority of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus profit from open reduction and internal fixation and that more reliable functional results are achieved than with conservative therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rätisches Kantons- und Regional-spital, Chur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melcher
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bereiter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leutenegger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rüedi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography