A functional outcome of intra articular calcaneum fracture managed surgically with plate fixation: A prospective study

Abstract

Intraarticular fractures account for approximately 75% of calcaneal fractures and historically have been associated with poor functional outcomes. The management of intraarticular calcaneal fractures remains a controversy, with strong arguments supporting both conservative & operative managements. Significant controversy remains over the results of nonoperative versus operative treatment. The lack of standardization of results has made it difficult to compare studies that have evaluated outcomes [1]. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of intra-articular calcaneal fractures managed surgically with a plate in terms of bohler’s and gissane’s angle, rate of radiological union and AOFAS score. Methods: A prospective study including 25 patients with an intra-articular calcaneal fracture who met the inclusion criteria was conducted in SGITO, Bangalore, between November 2019 and November 2020. Patients were managed surgically with plate fixation and were followed up regularly at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 1 year. Radiological outcome and functional outcome evaluated using AOFAS score. Results: Mean age of the patients was 33.6 years. The mean time duration between injury and surgery was 7.8 days. The mean time for fracture union was 13.64 ±2.56 weeks. The difference between pre and post-operative mean bohler’s and gissane’s angle was statistically significant with a p value