RESULTS OF LATERAL DECOMPRESSION BY SAGITTAL INTERCARY RESECTION OSTEOTOMY IN MAL-UNITED CALCANEAN FRACTURES

Abstract

In this study, evaluation of the results oflateral decompression by sagittal intercalary resection osteotomy for treatment of malunited calcanean fractures with broadening was carried out. This procedure aims to solve the problem of lateral heel pain in such cases due to lateral compartment syndrome. This syndrome results from broadening of the heel after calcanean malunion.

This study included 26 patients (30 feet) with bilateral affection in 4 patients. Their age ranged from 18 to 55 years old with a mean of 34.6 years. Males were affected in 84.6% and the left side was affected in 70%.

A higher incidence was found among manual workers (80.7%) followed by house wives (11.5%). The mechanism of injury in all patients was falling from a height. Two patients (7.7%) had associated injuries. One had fracture spine treated by open reduction and internal fixation and the other was a victim of severe internal haemon•hage.

The patients had lateral heel pain which was differentiated from pain of subtalar arthritis by blocking of subtalar joint by local injection of xylocaine into sinus tarsi.