Is Delayed Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Calcaneal Fractures Effective?
Purpose: Multiple studies support open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of calcaneus fractures. There are many advantages to open reduction within the first several weeks following injury, primarily the ease of reduction. There is no current study supporting late ORIF of these injuries following delayed presentation. Many surgeons elect closed treatment or primary subtalar arthrodesis for those injuries presenting late or with treatment delayed for other reasons, as anatomic reduction becomes considerably more challenging. The purpose of the present study was to examine the outcome of a group of calcaneus fractures treated with ORIF 25 days or more after injury. Methods: In a retrospective study at a level-one trauma center over an 8-year period (January 1994 to January 2002), 20 patients who sustained calcaneal fractures were treated with ORIF more than 25 days following injury. The OTA classifications of 73-A, 73-B, and 73-C injuries were included. All patients were treated by the
