Association between CT imaging at follow-up and clinical outcomes in heel fractures

Musculoskelet Surg. 2010 Dec;94(3):113-7. doi: 10.1007/s12306-010-0081-8. Epub 2010 Oct 6.

Abstract

The reliability of CT data for calcaneal fractures was evaluated, quantifying five CT parameters and investigating their association with clinical outcomes. Fifty-four intra-articular calcaneal fractures surgically treated were considered. Vertical and longitudinal alignment, calcaneal body height, position of sustentaculum tali and subtalar joint congruity were evaluated at 49 months (27-94) follow-up. Each parameter was then quantified and its association with the clinical outcome assessed by the Maryland Foot Score was evaluated. Better clinical outcomes showed a significant association with vertical/longitudinal realignment and with restoration of the calcaneal height. No significant association emerged with reconstruction of the thalamic joint facet congruity. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the calcaneus, in terms of vertical and longitudinal alignment, restoration of the height of the heel body even irrespective of a perfect joint congruity, seems today to be the main goal of the treatment.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Calcaneus / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcaneus / injuries*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Treatment Outcome