Abstract
The calcaneum is the most inferior and largest tarsal bone and supports the axial load of the weight of the body. Calcaneal fractures formulate 60% of the tarsal fractures and are frequently encountered in almost all trauma centres. It becomes imperative to understand and report calcaneal fractures in a structured fashion for better clinical and treatment outcomes for the patients. Radiologists should be well acquainted with calcaneal fractures and their various classifications and should develop an algorithmic approach for diagnosing and reporting heel fractures.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rosenberg ZS, Feldman F, Singson RD (1987) Intra-articular calcaneal fractures: computed tomographic analysis. Skeletal Radio 16:105–113
Schepers T, Ginai AZ, Mulder PG, Patka P (2007) Radiographic evaluation of calcaneal fractures: to measure or not to measure. Skelet Radiol 36:847–852
Sanders R, Fortin P, DiPasquale T, Walling A (1993) Operative treatment in 120 displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Results using a prognostic computed tomography scan classification Clin Orthop Relat Res 290:87–95
Daftary A, Haims AH, Baumgaertner MR (2005) Fractures of the calcaneus: a review with emphasis on CT. RadioGraphics 25:1215–1226
Badillo K, Pacheco JA, Padua SO, Gomez AA, Colon E, Vidal JA (2011) Multidetector CT evaluation of calcaneal fractures. RadioGraphics 31:81–92
Bhattacharya R, Vassan UT, Finn P, Port A (2005) Sanders classification of fractures of the os calcis. An analysis of inter- and intra-observer variability. J Bone Joint Surg Br 87:205–208
Moussa KM, Hassaan MAE, Moharram AN, Elmahdi MD (2015) The role of multidetector CT in evaluation of calcaneal fractures. The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine 46:413–421
Stoller DW, Tirman PFJ, Bredella M, et al (2004) Ankle and foot, osseous fractures, calcaneal fractures. In: Diagnostic imaging: orthopaedics. Amirsys, Salt Lake City. pp70–74
Swanson SA, Clare MP, Sanders RW (2008) Management of intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. Foot Ankle Clin 13:659–678
Janzen DL, Connell DG, Munk PL, Buckley RE, Meek RN, Schechter MT (1992) Intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus: value of CT findings in determining prognosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 158:1271–1274
Hess M, Booth B, Laughlin RT(2008) Calcaneal avulsion fractures: complications from delayed treatment. Am J Emerg Med 26:254.e1–e4
Heier KA, Infante AF, Walling AK, Sanders RW (2003) Open fractures of the calcaneus: soft-tissue injury determines outcome. J Bone Joint Surg Am 85:2276–2282
Anglen JO, Gehrke J (1996) Irreducible fracture of the calcaneus due to flexor hallucis longus tendon interposition. J Orthop Trauma 10:285–288
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Financial disclosure
None.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Teaching points
• To discuss the normal anatomy of calcaneum and biomechanics of calcaneal injury
• To discuss the role of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan for the evaluation of calcaneal fractures
• To develop a simplified holistic approach for classification into Sanders classification and to illustrate various complications of calcaneal fractures
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saxena, S., Yadav, T., Khera, P.S. et al. Simplifying the complicated heel—an emergency imaging approach to calcaneal fractures. Emerg Radiol 28, 641–649 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-020-01883-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-020-01883-1