Hasan Hilmi MURATLI1, Fırat YAĞMURLU1, Uğur GÜNEL2, Ali BİÇİMOĞLU1, Yalçın TABAK1

1Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi 3. Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, Ankara
2Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi 4. Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, Ankara

Keywords: Calcaneus, Fracture, Subtalar Arthrodesis.

Abstract

Aim: Aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the in-situ subtalar artrodesis performed for the treatment of comminuted calcaneal fractures. Material and
Method: We have treated 20 feet of 17 patients who have comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures with closed reduction via Essex Lopresti technique followed by primary insitu arthrodesis with percutaneous canulated screw appliction. We assumed that the comminuted dorsal fragments of calcaneus would act like autograft between the calcaneus and co-injured talus. By this way we hoped to obtain radiological and clinical fusion without applying classical means of artrodesis. Our mean follow up was 20 (10-32) months. We have evaluated our results according to Paley et al’s subjective and objective evaluation scale. In addition we have recorded radiological fusion, heel height and, degenerative arthritis development at neighboring joints as basic parameters.
Results: According to subjective and objective evaluation scale: we obtained good results in 12, moderate results in 5 and poor results in 3 feet. We have found that our method has resulted with acceptable heel height and able to obtain good range of motion in talonavicular, ankle and calcaneocoboid joints.
Conclusions: In our opinion with this method it is possible to obtain a successful fusion. By this way we can elicit a pain free and functional foot preventing the decrement of heel height and subtalar joint arthritis, in comminuted calcaneus fractures.