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.
