Nerve injury and pain after operative repair of calcaneal fractures: a literature review.

Peripheral nerve injury is a common problem in foot and ankle surgery. We look at evidence of nerve injury as it relates to different operative approaches to the fractured calcaneus. The direct lateral, extended lateral, smile, sinus tarsi, and percutaneous approaches are discussed and the reported incidence of nerve injury in each is identified. We expect to identify divergent rates of injury between approaches and stimulate further investigation into prevention and treatment.