The complications following treatment of calcaneal fracture with internal fixation with steel plate / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The complications of internal fication for calcaneal fracture were summarized and discussed to increase awareness of these complications, and to improve decision making and efficacy of the treatment. Methods The patients admitted to our hospital from October 1997 to June 2003 were followed up. The fracture in 68 feet (66 patients) was treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using steel plate. The complications associated with ORIF were analyzed and discussed as to etiology, incidence, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Results The patients were followed up for 7 to 57 months. Complications were found in 14 cases, including postoperative wound dehiscence in 5 (infection in 2), malunion (failure to achieve reduction) and arthritis in 9, accompanied by nerve injury in 6. The percentage of complication was 20 6%. With timely treatment, good function was regained in most of the patients. Conclusion Should attention be paid to the operation, many complications could be avoided. ORIF with plate is one ot the options for the treatment of this fracture, but the operative technic and the device should be improved. As the anatomy of the calcaneus is different from a long bone, it is unsuitable to apply the principle and device that are used in the internal fixation of a long bone to this fracture. The plate and screws used in the fixation of the calcaneal fracture can not give enough support