The necessity of bone grafting in the surgical treatment of severely comminuted calcaneus fractures

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of grafting on postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes and complications of intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation. Materials and Methods: Two groups as allograft used [Group 1 (n = 21)] and non-grafted [Group 2 (n = 31)] were compared for American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), Bohler's angles, calcaneal heights, subtalar arthrosis, Sudeck's atrophy and infection rates. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of last AOFAS, postoperative and last Bohler's angles and calcaneal heights. Although a statistically significant difference was not observed between the two groups for subtalar arthrosis and Sudeck's atrophy, there was a significant difference in infection rate. Conclusion: In calcaneal fractures, the space which is created after anatomic reduction and fixation will be filled with new callus tissue thanks to the spongious nature of calcaneus, and there is no need for additional grafting.