Percutaneous Treatment of Calcaneus Fractures Associated With Underlying Bone Cysts

Background: Calcaneal bone cysts with pathological fractures are rare. There is no clear consensus on their management with a few reports of open curettage, bone grafting and internal fixation in the treatment of pathological calcaneal fractures. No minimally invasive management has been reported before. Methods: We reviewed our experience in treating five patients with pathologic calcaneus fractures associated with preexisting bone cysts who underwent percutaneous cyst curettage, fracture reduction, screw fixation and calcium sulfate cement injection between 2004 and 2009. Results: All of the pathologic fractures healed with satisfactory radiological results. There were no soft tissue complications or cyst recurrences. Partial weightbearing with plaster cast immobilization was allowed at 4 weeks postoperatively and full weightbearing was allowed at 6 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion: This percutaneous technique provided a minimally invasive option for treatment of a calcaneal bone cyst with pathologic fracture.