Open calcaneal fractures

Summary

Limited evidence from six case series provides mixed results for outcomes following open calcaneal fractures. In two studies that reported functional results, the outcome was considered to be fair to poor after 2 – 10 years of follow-up, and depended in part on severity as measured by the Gustilo classification system. In these two studies, complications following difficult soft-tissue management hindered fracture treatment. Infection was a common outcome in all studies. Even though most patients eventually resolved a chronic infection, amputation resulted in a proportion of these patients. Evidence-based conclusions concerning which treatment options are the most effective in treating these difficult fractures are not warranted from these data. Large comparative studies are needed to address the question of which treatment strategy is best in these fractures.