Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Objective To study the treatment method and the effect of intra-articular calcaneal fractures.Methods From September 2003 to September 2006 in our department,80 feet of intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated.According to Sander's classification,there were 19 feet in 18 cases of type Ⅰ,29 feet in 25 cases of type Ⅱ,21 feet in 20 cases of type Ⅲ,11 feet in 8 cases of type Ⅳ.Among them 32 feet of intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated with external fixation,and 48 feet were treated with open reduction internal fixation and calcaneal plates.Results After the follow-up period from 6 months to 36 months,the data were evaluated with AOFAS scale system.The rates of excellent-good results were 94.7% and 84.6% in group of external fixation including 19 feet of type Ⅰ and 13 feet of type Ⅱ,those were 93.8%,85.7% and 81.8% in group of calcaneal plates fixation including 16 feet of type Ⅱ,21 feet of type Ⅲ,11 feet of type Ⅳ.Conclusion The treatment method of intra-articular calcaneal fractures can be choice to achieve good results according to Sander's classification.