OBJECTIVETo analyze locking plates with bone graft fusion in treating displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures and determine whether it is beneficial in maintaining restoration of calcaneal height and anatomic reduction of the articular surface.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to January 2008, 22 patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures were treated with locking plates with and without bone graft (divided into the bone graft group and non-bone graft group). There were 17 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 18 to 59 years with the mean of 35 years. Sanders III was in 14 cases and Sanders IV in 8 cases. Autologous iliac bone filled defects with locking plates fixation for the bone graft group; just locking plates fixation were performed for non-bone graft group. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured before and after operation. The foot function of two groups were compared according to Maryland standard at the 6th month, 1, 2 years after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of 25 months. There was no significant difference in the recovery of Böhler angle and Gissane angle between two groups (P > 0.05). After the 6 months,1, 2 years, there was no significant difference in the foot function between two groups (P > 0.05), in bone graft group, excellent result was in 6, 7 ,7 cases respectively; and in non-bone graft group, excellent results in 5, 6, 7 cases respectively.

CONCLUSIONBone graft in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures is not an advantage.