COMBINED PERCUTANEOUS AND MINIMAL INTERNAL-FIXATION FOR DISPLACED ARTICULAR FRACTURES OF THE CALCANEUS

Forty-one displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus in 38 pa tients were treated with open reduction and screw fixation of the post erior facet, bone grafting, and percutaneous pinning of the body. A si ngle extensile posterolateral approach was used in all but two cases i n which an additional medial incision was needed. Using early function al aftercare, all fractures healed without secondary displacement in a n average of eight weeks. Follow-up periods averaged 4.2 years. Result s were graded as excellent in 14 patients, good in 16, fair in three, and poor in five. There was a strict correlation between the clinical results and the severity of the articular comminution. A satisfactory outcome depended on the restoration of articular congruency and extraa rticular alignment of the os calcis.