A Clinical Study on the Fractures of the Calcaneus

The os calcis is fractured more frequently than any other tarsal bone. Fractures involving subtalar joint can, be associated with prolonged and severe disability. So there is no universal agreement in the treatment of these fractures. Calcaneal fractures of 64 feet in 56 patients who were treated at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1980 were analyzed in clinical and radiological aspects. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Of 56 patients, 46 patients were male and 10 female. 2. The main cause of fractures of calcaneus was a fall from a height in 71.4 percents of cases, and spine injury was associated in 15 patients (26.8%) with calcaneal fractures. 3. The fractures were almostly closed (89.1%). 4. Fractures involving subtalar joint were in 52 feet (81.3%) and Rowe's type 5 were 38 fractures (39.4%). Of these type 5 fractures, 31 fractures were treated by closed reduction and axial pin fixation and then favourable results were obtained. 5. The most common complication after treatment was persistant foot pain. Pain beneath the lateral malleolus was the most common (8 feet), and correlated with the decrease of Bohler's angle.