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Complications of Intra-articular Fractures of the Calcaneus

John H. Walter, Jr., DPM, MS ^*, Matthew S. Rockett, DPM  and Larry R. Goss, DPM 

^* Department of Podiatric Orthopedics and Biomechanics, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Harris County Podiatric Surgical Residency Program, Columbia West Houston Medical Center, Houston, TX; private practice, Texas Foot Specialists, Pasadena.
Surgical Residency Program, Tenet Parkview Hospital and Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia; Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; private practice, Philadelphia Foot & Ankle, Philadelphia, PA.

Corresponding author: John H. Walter, Jr., DPM, MS, Department of Podiatric Orthopedics and Biomechanics, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Eighth at Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Abstract

Most complications of calcaneal fractures are due to the combination of the dynamic nature and the mechanism of the injury itself. Complications are usually secondary to three integral parts of this complex fracture pattern: 1) fracture and depression of the subtalar joint, 2) loss of the height of the calcaneal body with varus rotation, and 3) expansion of the lateral wall of the calcaneus. Other complications occur with less frequency. This article describes the complications and sequelae of old, malunited intra-articular calcaneal fractures in relation to the nature and the components of these unique fractures. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(4): 382–388, 2004)