European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: 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, Katihar Medical College, Katihar, India,for two year, A total of 50 patients aged ≥ 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 on x-ray. Follow up- Patients were followed up at an interval 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 50 patients, amongst them 5 were female and the rest 45 were male. The mechanism of injury was noted to be road traffic accident in 10 patients and fracture sustained as a result of fall from a height in the rest. The surgery was not performed immediately for all patients, though most presented on the day of the injury and it was delayed until the swelling decreased and wrinkle sign appeared. These patients were followed up at 6 months and the functional outcome was assessed in all patients using Ankle- Hind foot scale which includes assessment of pain, function, maximum walking distance, gait abnormality, graded difficulty in walking on different surfaces, motion, stability of ankle and alignment of ankle and foot. According to this scale, 34 patients (68%) had good outcome, 13 patients had fair outcome (26%) while 3 patients (6%) had poor outcome. Amongst the 50 patients, alignment of the foot and ankle was restored in all cases and so was the ankle hind foot stability.
Conclusion: the anatomic locking plate can be used effectively in the treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures using simple reduction techniques with a potentially shortened operating time.