Long-term results of subtalar fusions after operative versus nonoperative treatment of os calcis fractures

From 1984 to 1994, 40 patients with a subtalar fusion were reexamined in long-term follow-up. The evaluation of the overall results was carried out with three different scoring systems. The calcaneal fractures were primarily treated nonsurgically in 23 patients (57.5%), and 17 patients (42.5%) had undergone ORIF. Complete pain relief was achieved in 52.5% of patients; 65% revealed a restriction in a range of motion in the ankle joint, and in 62% a grade 1 arthritis of the ankle joint was found. The statistical analysis could only reveal a tendency for a better outcome in the operative group compared with the nonsurgical group, although within the operated group, the majority of the os calcis fractures were more severe than in the nonsurgical group.