Conservative Management of Calcaneal Fractures. A Retrospective Review of Treatment Outcome

Abstract

I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n: : Treatment of calcaneal fracture is still controversial and indication for surgery is not well established. We are reporting the mid term outcome of calcanel fractures treated conservatively. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d M Me et th ho od ds s: : Patients admitted with calcaneal fractures from 1st November 2002 till 31st December 2004 and were treated conservatively were included in this study. The fractures were grouped according to Essex-Lopresti classification and their outcomes were assessed with the Maryland foot score. We also looked at time to weight bearing and returning to occupational activity. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : Forty-four patients were included for evaluation. Patients with extraarticular calcaneal fractures had significantly higher rating scores compared to those with intraarticular fractures (98.2 and 88.8 respectively, with a p value = 0.0001). Generally, both group of patients had a good clinical outcome. 18 of the 44 patients (41%) started partial weight bearing before or at 6 weeks and 31 patients (72%) were able to start full weight bearing by 12 weeks. 31 patients (72%) were back to work 12 weeks after the injury. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : Conservative management for calcaneal fractures is an acceptable mode of treatment with satisfactory functional outcome.

Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis In Comminuted Calcaneal Fractures

“…Surgically unfit patients should receive conservative treatment. (5) Open reduction and internal fixation is gaining much popularity for the treatment of the displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures at many orthopedic trauma centers. (6) As a better understanding of fracture patterns with recent advances in imaging, modern surgical techniques and hardware had improved outcomes and lowered morbidity, a trend has developed toward ORIF for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.…”