title: Calcanectomy: avoiding major amputation in the presence of calcaneal osteomyelitis-A case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calcaneal osteomyelitis is a surgical diagnosis that may be treated by local, resection or major amputation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of calcanectomy for treating calcaneal osteomyelitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of patients receiving calcanectomy between 1st April 2005 and 1st October 2011 for calcaneal osteomyelitis. We reviewed these cases to determine healing, rate, microbiological analysis, length of stay, limb salvage rate and survival rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 10 patients included in this review. There were 7 with diabetes and 3 without. Mean age of group with diabetes was 64 years, of this group 5/7 healed at a mean of 64 days. Mean length of stay for this group was 49.3 ± 39.4 days. 2 patients required a transtibial amputation. Mean age of group without diabetes was 77 years, healing at a mean of 19 days. Mean length of stay for this group was 14 ± 16.8 days and all survived over 3 years. Microbiological analysis of suspected osteomyelitic bone typically isolated >4 organisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcanectomy is a useful procedure for limb salvage. It may reduce morbidity rates for people with calcaneal osteomyelitis, those with diabetes can expect prolonged wound healing and longer length of stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Great Western Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, United Kingdom. Electronic address: tom.walsh@health.sa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Tom P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Ben J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D003646:Debridement; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D006490:Hemostatics; D014031:Tobramycin; D002133:Calcium Sulfate
keywords: Calcanectomy; Calcaneus; Diabetes; Osteomyelitis; Ulceration