Treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures with triangular tube-to-bar external fixation: long-term clinical follow-up and radiographic analysis.

Sixty-six feet (62 patients) with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures underwent manual reduction and distraction with the use of a triangular tube-to-bar external fixation device and were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 1-year post-operative. Final radiographic follow-up revealed complete consolidation in all fractures, maintenance of reduction, and limited degenerative osteoarthrosis about the subtalar joint. Our results indicate that with proper application and attention to detail, restoration of calcaneal morphology using triangular tube-to-bar external fixation should be considered a viable alternative in the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus.