Calcaneal fractures in children

Calcaneal fractures are rare in children but frequent in adults. We report 18 cases (20 feet) of pediatric calcaneal fractures before the distal tibia l growth line closed to assess the characteristics of pediatric calcaneal f ractures and reveal differences in treatment and prognosis between children and adults. Twelve (60%) of the fractures were extraarticular, a higher pe rcentage than in adults, and only four (20%) were intraarticular fractures associated with displacement. One case of avulsion fracture of the portion of the calcaneus where the Achilles tendon inserts, in which there was larg e displacement, and one intraarticular fracture were treated surgically. Th e outcome was goad, including the surgical cases. One of the reasons that c alcaneal fractures are considered rare in children is that they are missed, and thus care is required in making the diagnosis.