الفهرس 
AcknowledgementOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The calcaneus is the most common tarsal bone to be fractured with an overall incidence of approximately 2%. The calcaneus has a complex anatomy. It articulates with the talus superiorly through three articular facets; the posterior, middle and anterior facet. The calcaneus also articulates with the cuboid anteriorly. It is formed largely of cancellous bone with a thin shell of cortical bone.
Fractures of the calcaneus are classified into intraarticular (75%) and extraarticular (25%) fractures. Intraarticular fractures are usually the result of heavy deceleration, such as a fall from height. They are complex fractures with worse prognosis. Extraarticular fractures are usually the result of less violent trauma and they are usually easy to manage and have better prognosis.
Essex-Lopresti was the first to develop a widely used classification system for calcaneal fractures. Attempts were done later to develop a universally accepted classification system incorporating fracture anatomy and the mechanism of injury and predict the correct course of treatment and outcome. Because controversies remain in regards to the most appropriate treatment courses and their respective outcomes, debate continues over the most appropriate classification system.
The management of intraarticular calcaneal fractures and their associated soft tissue injuries are challenging tasks for the surgeon. Open reduction and stable internal fixation with a lateral plate without joint transfixation has been established as the standard therapy, with good to excellent results in most cases ,But wound complications , technicality of the procedure and the prolonged postoperative morbidity are still challenging problems making the ORIF option inadequate.
Minimally invasive reduction and percutaneous fixation using the Ilizarov external fixator is a promising alternative to the classic ORIF option .The technique carries many advantages ranging from anatomical reduction of joint congruity and the overall shape of the calcaneus tothe early postoperative weight bearing and return to normal life , but the most helpful advantage of this technique is that it can be used in cases with sever soft tissue damage with results as good as those of ORIF and with reduced range of complications.