The surgical dilemma of the malunited calcaneal joint depression fracture: the VAMC Miami experience.

During the period of October 1985 through March 1995, 25 patients presented to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami with a chief complaint of chronic pain status post calcaneal joint depression fracture. Their acute injury was treated conservatively at this and various other institutions. Nine patients were managed conservatively with orthotics, University of California Biomechanics Laboratory braces (UCBLs), shoe modification, or prosthetics. Sixteen patients underwent hindfoot fusions. Good to excellent results were obtained in 15 of the 16 fusions. The remaining patient, having an isolated subtalar fusion, was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Proper evaluation of the chronic pain patient is critical when mapping out an appropriate treatment plan. Hindfoot arthrodesis with soft tissue decompression is a successful tool in eliminating chronic pain due to malunited depression fractures.