Ilizarov-Assisted Healing for a Neglected Non-united Fracture Calcaneus: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Although calcaneal fracture is not a rare injury and nonunion is rare, proper management of a calcaneal fracture is mandatory because it can be a prerequisite for long-term functional disabilities of the foot, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the hindfoot joint, chronic pain, and persistent swelling syndromes. Restoration of axial alignment and joint congruence with careful caution toward soft tissues is the basic principle of treatment; however, few literature reviews to date have addressed the characteristics of a calcaneal nonunion fracture. We discuss a case of a 30-year-old male, manual worker, and diabetic type 1 with a calcaneal fracture reaching the articular surface of the subtalar joint who underwent a simple fracture to a painful nonunion fracture after conservative treatment for seven months before presenting to our hospital being unable to walk with heel deformity. The Ilizarov frame was used to correct deformities in the hindfoot, enhance healing by compressing the fracture site, and allow early weight bearing with the maintenance of subtalar joint function. Our result demonstrates increased calcaneal healing when the Ilizarov foot frame is used, and when the calcaneal fracture site is compressed, this is a good option for maintaining foot and ankle function, even in diabetic patients.; Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. (Copyright © 2024, Ibrahim et al.)