CALCANEAL FRACTURES IN UK COMBAT CASUALTIES: MEDIUM-TERM PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES

It is unclear whether combat casualties with complex hindfeet fractures would have an improved outcome with reconstruction or amputation. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of British military casualties sustaining calcaneal fractures. In the 12 years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan there were 116 calcaneal fractures in 98 patients. Seventy-four patients (74/98 76%) were contactable, providing follow up data for 85 fractures (85/116 73%). Median follow up was 5-years (64 months, IQR 52–79). Thirty limbs (30/85 35%) had undergone trans-tibial amputation at time of follow-up: there was no association between open fractures and requirement for amputation (p=0.06). Definitive treatment choice had a significant association with later requirement for amputation (p=0.0479). Fifty-two patients (52/74 70%) had been discharged from the military due to their injuries: there was a significant association between amputation and military discharge (p=0.001). Only 17 patients (17/74 23%) had been able to com...