Calcaneal fractures in children.

Calcaneal fractures are rare in children but frequent in adults. We report 18 cases (20 feet) of pediatric calcaneal fractures before the distal tibial growth line closed to assess the characteristics of pediatric calcaneal fractures and reveal differences in treatment and prognosis between children and adults. Twelve (60%) of the fractures were extraarticular, a higher percentage than in adults, and only four (20%) were intraarticular fractures associated with displacement. One case of avulsion fracture of the portion of the calcaneus where the Achilles tendon inserts, in which there was large displacement, and one intraarticular fracture were treated surgically. The outcome was good, including the surgical cases. One of the reasons that calcaneal fractures are considered rare in children is that they are missed, and thus care is required in making the diagnosis.