Results of closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with early mobilisation and without reduction.

Between January 1987 and December 1989, a retrospective study was done of 42 patients with 56 closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with no reduction and early mobilisation at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toa Payoh Hospital. There were 12 left, 16 right and 14 bilateral fractures. Using the Creighton-Nebraska Health Assessment for calcaneal fractures, 38 (67.9%) fractures were rated as excellent and good and the average follow-up period was 3.2 years. Thirty-five (83.3%) of the patients were able to work after an average interval of 4.5 months. The complications included residual pain in 34 (60.1%) fractures, heel deformity in 40 (71.4%), foot swelling in 31 (55.4%) and limitation of subtalar movement in 35 (62.5%). Early osteoarthritis of the subtalar joint was noted in 5 (8.9%) comminuted fractures and was associated with poor results.