Surgical vs Conservative Treatment of Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Prospective RCT

Between 1994-98 5 hospitals in Stockholm investigated calcaneal fractures in a randomised study. 82 patients were included and randomized either to non-surgical treatment or surgical management with extensile lateral approach and reduction with Internal fixation (ORIF) The patients were followed and investigated at fixed intervals 2 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months for clinical review. At 1 year and 8-12 years (mean 10 years) post-injury. Both clinical radiological data were collected and several scores were used. The primary outcomes scores used were SF-36 and VAS score. The results after 1 year and mean 10 years are presented.