MANAGEMENT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR CALCANEAL FRACTURES BY CLOSED REDUCTION WITH PERCUTANEOUS STEINMANN PIN

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Calcaneum is the most common tarsal bone to fracture and is attended by considerable morbidity. Many treatment techniques are described in literature but indications for specific techniques are vague. This study analyzes the outcome of treatment of intra articular calcaneum fractures treated by Essex-Lopresti technique. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 20 patients with tongue-type fracture of Calcaneum who got admitted at Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore in the Department of Orthopedics were subjected to closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation (Method of Essex-Lopresti). Creighton Nebraska Health Foundation Assessment sheet for calcaneum fractures was used for analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Wilcoxon Rank-sum test was used to compare repeated measurements on a single sample to assess whether their mean population ranks differ. Kruskal Wallis test was used for analysis of variance. RESULTS: Incidence was more common in males with right and left side involvement being almost equal and no bilateral involvement. The commonest mechanism of injury was fall from height and landing on the heel. It was found to be more common in age group 30-39 years. Associated spine and lower extremity injuries were seen in 30%. There were 45% excellent, 30% good, 25% fair results and no poor results. CONCLUSION: The Essex-Lopresti method of closed reduction and pin fixation is a safe technique with overall good results and an acceptable complication rate for the treatment of tongue-type fracture of calcaneum.