Fractures of the calcaneus account for 2% of all human body fractures. They present a strong social importance and a great economical impact, because they affect economically active individuals. In order to recognize the evolution of calcaneus intra-joint fractures evolution, a retrospective study is presented here. The sample was constituted by 71 patients with deviated intra-joint fractures of the calcaneus, being 63 males (88.73%) and 8 females (11.27%). Ages ranged 14 to 74 years old. According to the ESSEX-LOPRESTI scale, 55 of them were joint-depression type (77.46%) and 16 of tongue-kind 22.54%). The most commonly used incision was the lateral L-shape kind (91.55%). Sixty one fractures were fixed with a "double H" plate (85.92%), 9 required only screws (12.68%) and one was fixed with Kirschner wire. Seven fractures required bone graft (9.86%). The average follow-up time was 11.59 ± 6.72 months. Early complications were present in 33.82% of the patients, the most common ones were infections and necrosis of the skin. Late complications were identified in 63.38% of the patients, the most common ones being residual edema and arthrosis. The incidence of late complications was not related to the type of fracture. Joint-depression type fractures contributed to a greater restraint of activities (p=0.0315). The Böhler angle, postoperatively measured, showed a direct relationship with the final outcome, and angles smaller than 20 degrees determine a greater incidence of poor results (p=0.0111). According to the AOFAS scale, 59.26% of all patients developed good and excellent results.
Foot injuries; Fractures; Internal fixation of fractures; Calcaneus; Wound healing
