Calcaneus or heel fractures are severe injuries, which often have a negative impact on a patient's lifestyle and ability to walk without pain. These injuries are traditionally approached through an L-shaped incision (3 to 4 inches) on the outer part of the foot. Wound healing complications are among the most common with this type of approach. To treat these very serious injuries, Dr. Cole has developed a unique minimally invasive technique, which produces a low complication rate and has highly successful results.

Dr. Cole's method to treat severe fractures of the heel restores the normal shape of the bone using external devices that are removed before the patient awakes from surgery.

One of the advantages of this technique is that it has a smaller incision (1 to 1½ inch), that usually heals without complications. Another advantage of our approach is early healing, motion and return of sub-tailor joint function. Other methods routinely have stiffness secondary to large dissection. The impact of this surgical technique is evident in a patient's ability to move their foot and ankle with only minor differences and return to work with minimal restrictions once the fracture has healed. With other methods it's common for a patient to develop a stiff painful foot that ultimately requires more surgery.

Another advantage of Dr. Cole's minimally invasive method is that it can be used for patients who have sustained compound fractures or have marked swelling and fracture blisters. These patients would typically have to wait until the skin heals if the traditional L-shaped incision is used. The disadvantage is by the time the skin is ready to undergo surgery, the fracture has already started to heal in a non-anatomical position which is much harder to restore to a near normal alignment. Dr. Cole's technique can be used before the skin heals, thus increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome and a decreased complication rate.

For more information about heel (calcaneus) fracture treatments offered at the Fracture Care Center, call us at (407) 895-8890 or complete our online request for information form.

home | about us | about Dr. Cole | site map | orthopaedic case studies
services > limb lengthening | osteomyelitis | calcaneus fracture | more
orthopaedic news & press | contact the fracture care center

Copyright 2005, Florida Hospital Fracture Care Center. All Rights Reserved.
Statement of patient privacy practices.

Website design & internet marketing by Sales & Marketing Technologies.