Abstract
Background: The calcaneus exhibits variations in articular facets and calcaneal sulcus width. These variations influence occurrence of osteoarthritic conditions, whose prevalence is significant in our setting, and are essential during surgeries involving the foot. Despite this, local data on calcaneal facets remain scarce.
 Methods: Sixty calcanei were obtained from the National Museum of Kenya. The number, type and shapes of their facets were documented and calcaneal sulcus width measured. Images were taken and collected data were represented in tables and figures.
 Results: The calcanei had 1–3 articular facets. The common calcanei type noted was type 1B on the right calcaneus and 1B on the left. The least was type 4 on the right and 2C on the left. In terms of shape, types 1 and 4 calcanei had non-rounded facets while type 2 had rounded facets. The width of the sulcus calcanei was narrowest among type 1 calcanei in the right foot at 0.53 cm. On the left foot, type 2 calcanei had narrower (0.455 cm, range 0.35–0.60) calcaneal sulcus width.
 Conclusion: Our findings may aid in surgeries of the foot and in providing a link between local calcaneal variations and prevalence of osteoarthritic foot conditions.
 Keywords: Calcaneal-facets, Sinus tarsi, Arthritis
Highlights
The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone (1-3)
A study done on the Nigerian population (1) showed that their anterior and middle facets were mostly oval, the anteromedial facet was elongated and the posterior facet was rounded
Morphology of the calcaneal facets All the calcanei had articular facets that ranged in number from 1 to 3
Summary
The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone (1-3). It varies in the number and shape of talo-calcaneal facets. The reported variations of the calcanei, especially in the type as well as shape of the facets, have been shown to influence surgical procedures (11). Some disorders such as pes planus (12,13) have been shown to be significantly prevalent (43.2%) in Kenya (14). The calcaneus exhibits variations in articular facets and calcaneal sulcus width. These variations influence occurrence of osteoarthritic conditions, whose prevalence is significant in our setting, and are essential during surgeries involving the foot. Type 2 calcanei had narrower (0.455 cm, range 0.35–0.60) calcaneal sulcus width. Conclusion: Our findings may aid in surgeries of the foot and in providing a link between local calcaneal variations and prevalence of osteoarthritic foot conditions
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