The surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures: our long-term experience

Abstract

Objective. We report on the clinical and radiographic results obtained using surgical treatment with plates and screws in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs). Methods. 41 patients were included for a total of 43 DIACFs treated at our unit between 2008-2019. Fractures were classified by Sanders classification and radiographically we considered Böhler’s angle. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was used for clinical evaluation. Results. Of 43 fractures, 3 were classified type I, 13 type II, 20 type III and 7 type IV. The mean follow-up was 87.51 months (min. 9, max. 136). The average AOFAS score was 82.88 and the post-operative mean Bohler angle was 22.65°. We observed the following complications: one infection requiring hardware removal and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 3 instances of delay in wound healing treated with antibiotic and medications. Hardware removal was needed in 10 cases. Conclusions: the good functional and clinical results seen in our study encourage us to propose surgery as the first choice of treatment of DICFs.