[Operative results of treatment of intraarticular calcaneus fractures with the "low contact plate"].
Calcaneus fractures are a major cause of accident- related invalidity. Long-term results are unsatisfactory with various therapy concepts as reported in the literature. Objective of this study is the long-term clinical and radiological outcome of a patient group treated with a low contact plate. Subjective assessment of function by the patient was an important evaluation criterion. From 01/92 to 12/98 a total of 182 patients with 209 calcaneus fractures were treated. Out of them 95 patients with 109 calcaneus fractures had a follow-up over a period ranging from 6 to 88 months (average 37.9 months). Severe impairment of walking was reported by 34.7 % of the patients. Severe impairment for work was declared by 68.4 % of the patients. 74.7 % of the patients complained middle or severe burden-pain. 64.3 % of the patients felt their quality of life impaired. After the injury 75.8 % of the patients were still employed. Arthrosis of the inferior ankle joint was found in 91.5 % of the cases. Within this collective three patient groups were formed with different follow-up periods to evaluate the temporal course, showing no significant differences. Frequently good functional and subjective results cannot be expected even with standardized operative procedures.
Arand
M
M
Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie der Universität Ulm. markus.arand@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Schwamborn
M
M
Schilling
U
U
Kinzl
L
L
Gebhard
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D001860:Bone Plates; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation