European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: The calcaneus is the frequently injured tarsal bone.75% of calcaneal fractures are intraarticular. Treating calcaneal fractures is a challenge for orthopaedic surgeon due to complex fracture pathology.
Aim: The aim of the present study determines the Functional and anatomical outcome of displaced intraarticular fractures of calcaneum treated using locking plate fixation.
Material and methods: This Prospective open label observational study was done the Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pardesh, India, from January 2016 to December 2017, A total of 60 patients aged n≥ 18 years, displaced intra articular fractures of calcaneum were included in this study. Post-operative management involved, immobilization using a below the knee slab for a duration of 2-3 weeks to ensure wound healing. Subsequently on the second post operative day non weight bearing mobilization was advised followed by ankle movements on removal of the slab. Complete weight bearing was recommended only after ensuring fracture union onx-ray. Follow up- Patients were followed up at an in terval of 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post surgery and imaging via x-ray, at each visit was done to assess the fracture healing. 
Results: In our study we included 60 patients, amongst them 8 were female and the rest 52 were male. The mechanism of injury was noted to be road traffic accident in 13 patients and fracture sustained as a result of fall from a height in the rest. According to this scale, 39 patients (65%) had good outcome, 17patients had fair outcome (28.33%) while 4 patient (6.67%) had poor outcome. 4 out of the 60 patients, was noted to have wound dehiscence where suture removal was delayed until 3 weeks and the wound healing was ensured at the end of 8 weeks.
Conclusion: we concluded that the anatomic locking plate can be used effectively in the treatment of displace dintraarticularcal caneal fractures using simple reduction techniques with a potentially shortened operating time.