Calcaneus fracture in the child.

We reviewed 80 fractures of the calcaneus in 78 children through a 30-year period. The fractures were more equally distributed between the sexes than in adults. In contrast to adults, intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus in children constitute less than half, probably because a lower proportion of children sustain the fracture as a result of a fall. Associated injuries were mainly encountered by children who were traffic accident victims. It is disputable that the calcaneus in children is more resistant to fracture than in adults. The rarity of the fracture in children is more likely the result of less exposure to trauma leading to calcaneal fractures and also that the fracture is often overlooked.