Treatment Protocol for the Management of Open Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures

Intra-articular calcaneal fractures that occur as an open injury continue to present a difficult management problem. When they are treated with the same protocol as closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures, significantly higher complication rates and consequences can occur. Rather, these injuries should be looked upon as a sof-ttissue injury with a calcaneal issue. Addressing the wound and using that outcome to determine the course of action for stabilizing the calcaneus has reduced soft-tissue complications to levels comparable to those occurring with closed wounds. A protocol based on our 10-year experience utilizes the location and condition of the wound to determine the method of stabilization for the bony reduction.