Functional and radiological evaluation of displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze evaluate functional and radiological results of displaced intra – articular fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation in patients from Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro (HMCP). Methods: Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in 28 displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures between 2002 and 2008. Essex-Lopresti radiological and Sanders tomographic classifications were used in pre-operative evaluation. Extended lateral incision was performed in all patients with internal fixation ostheosynthesis using 3.5 mm implants, without bone graft with a mean follow up of 41 months. Patients were clinically evaluated through Johnson functional method and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) assessment, and deambulation capacity. Pre and post-operative radiographies were evaluated through the Böhler, Gissane, Talus-calcaneus and Calcaneus-sole angles as well as through calcaneus height and width measurements. Results: Radiological values returned to normal in 90% of the cases; 74% patients presented fair capacity of walking; 83% complained pain (subjective scale). The majority (95%) was satisfied, with minimum restriction. AOFAS functional scale average value was 76 points. Conclusion: Satisfactory functional and radiological results were achieved, with improvement of the radiological indices and low rate of complications to these patients. The obtained results are compatible with the literature ones.