Abstract: Background: The most common fractures in the hindfoot are calcaneal fractures. There are several debates on how to treat calcaneal fractures, although it is now preferred to undergo open reduction, internal fixation, and early mobilisation.
Aim: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of open reduction with plating for intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum.
Method: In a prospective observational study conducted in SRM medical college and research centre duration of September 2019 to March 2021, seventeen male patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled. In this study, G-bone was used in 7 cases – out of which three patients had Sander’s type 2, and 4 patients had Sander’s type 3.
Result: The most common mode of injury is falling from height (70.6%). Bohler’s and Gissane’s angles significantly improved post-operatively (p<0.0001). The AOFAS and Creighton Nebraska scores improved significantly in all follow-ups (p<0.0001). In 4 patients with smoking habits, 3 had fair outcomes, and 1 had a poor outcome which is statistically significant (p=0.006). In 10 sander’s type 2 patients, nine (81.8%) had good outcomes, whereas one (9.1%) had a poor outcome. In 7 sander’s type 3 patients, two patients (22.2%) had good outcomes, whereas five patients (55.6%) had fair outcomes. (p=0.006).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that surgical management of intra-articular calcaneal fractures gives better results. Sander’s type 2 fracture has a better outcome than Sander’s type 3 fracture. With proper soft tissue care, the wound complications rate can also be decreased post-operatively.
