The aim of our study was to find the incidence of wound complications follo
wing operative fixation of fractured calcanea and identify the risk factors
contributing to them. We retrospectively reviewed the results of operative
treatment of 33 calcaneal fractures in 30 patients over a 4-year period. W
e report an overall wound complication rate of 18.1%. Wound infection, haem
atoma, dehiscence and heel necrosis were noted in our series with or withou
t underlying osteomyelitis. We identified the following as risk factors to
the causation of post-operative wound complications: (a) fall of more than
3.4 m (p < 0.005); (b) surgery within 7 days (p < 0.05); (c) operating time
in excess of 2 h (p < 0.05); (d) tourniquet time in excess of 1.5 h (p < 0
.001). We recommend careful attention to these factors in treating calcanea
l fractures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.