Background: The calcaneus is the largest of the tarsal bones. It is irregularly cuboidal and designed to resist the daily stresses of weight bearing. The calcaneus have architecture much like an egg; hard on the outside and very soft in the center and is very liable to the crush injuries. Its anterior half supports the talus. The later, in turn, carries the whole body load through the tibia. The calcaneus serves a double purpose: it provides an elastic, firm support for the weight of the body and also functions as a spring board for locomotion.
Objective: To evaluate clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixations of calcaneal fractures.
Patients and Methods: Twenty four cases of recent fractures of the calcaneus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using plates and screws via the extensile lateral approach. The patients were operated and followed up during the period between November 2016 and November 2018 in Zagazig university hospitals.
Results: These results suggest internal fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures using a single lateral approach is a relatively safe, reliable method of treatment.
Conclusion: Intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus should be treated as fractures of the major weight bearing joints with anatomical reduction, rigid fixation and early mobilization.