Non-Operative Treatment of Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures
Volume 11, Issue 2, Spring 2013, Pages 69-76
https://doi.org/10.22034/ijos.2020.121093
Mohammad Reza Shakeri, MD, Saeed Reza Mehrpour, MD, Amir Salari, MD, Amir Mahlisha Kazemi, MD, Bahador Aalami Harandi, MD
Abstract Background: Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture is a major orthopaedic challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of non-operative treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures, its effects and performance. Methods: In a retrospective study, 58 patients (44 males, 14 females) with intra-articular calcaneal fracture were evaluated clinically and radiographically using a general performance and AOFAS, and FFI questionnaires between 2003 and 2011 in Tehran, Iran. The mean follow-up time was 3.27 years (2-6 years). Radiographic signs of osteoarthrities were also evaluated. Results: The mean age of patients was 38.4 (18-85 years). Ten cases (17.2%) were "tangue" and 48 (82.8%) "joint depression" type. Spine injury was abserved in 13.8%, other limb injuries in 27.6%, and head injury in 3.4% of the cases. The mean AOFAS score was 79.14 and FFI score 24.7. Osteoarthritis of moderate degree was seen in 48% and severe in 17% of the cases an radiographs. By the time of follow-up, 5 patients had required surgeries to treat the delayed complications. Conclusions: Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture is a real challenge. Close treatment, although maybe painless and give comparable results with open surgery in AOFAS and FFI testing, will show radiographic signs of osteoarthirits in about 50% of the time-even in short or mid-term follow-up.