Functional Outcome of Percutaneous Screw Fixation of Displaced Intraarticular Calcaneal Fractures-A Prospective Study

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the functional outcome in displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures operated by percutaneous screw fixation. PATIENTS AND METHODS 50 patients were randomized and studied for a period of 2years. Functional outcome using American orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hind foot score. Radiographic evaluation of fracture healing was done immediately and one year post surgery. RESULTS At a mean follow-up of 24 months there was statistically significant improvement in The clinical outcome of our cohort of percutaneous treated intra-articular calcaneal fractures was good to excellent in 90 % with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hind foot scale (AOFAS) score. This percentage increases to 100 % for tongue type fractures alone but decreases to 82 % for joint depression type fractures. Infectious complications occurred in 1 (2.4 %) and secondary arthrodesis was needed in 3 fractures (7.3 %). The Sanders classification showed no prognostic value. The Essex-Lopresti classification was a strong prognosticator with a median AOFAS score of 92 for tongue type fractures and 75 for joint depression type fractures (P less than.001). CONCLUSION This study shows that this technique is suitable for most types of intra-articular fractures especially with compromised soft tissues in which open reduction and internal fixation is contraindicated. Good articulate reduction, preserved subtalar motion and decrease in level of residual pain were achieved