The value of computed tomography in the early assessment of comminuted fractures of the calcaneus: a review of three patients.
Computed tomography (CT) was performed within 4-8 days of injury in three patients with five fractures of the calcaneus. Three of the fractures were comminuted, and CT gave graphic additional information to the plain radiographs. Three fractures were undisplaced and were managed conservatively. In the other two, there was displacement of bony fragments, and these were treated operatively. In these, CT gave valuable preoperative information regarding the size and location of fracture fragments and helped the surgeon determine the site of incision and type of surgery required. The CT findings were confirmed at operation. CT therefore provides useful information for the management of these difficult fractures.
D000293:Adolescent; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed