Health-related quality of life after calcaneus fractures in childhood and adolescence.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the mid-term Health-Related Quality of Life after treatment of calcaneus fractures in childhood and adolescence.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from 19 Patients who were treated for calcaneus fractures at our institution between 2004 and 2019. Radiological assessment was done according to the classification of Schmidt and Weiner. Patients completed a questionnaires with help of there parents when needed, that included the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds-QL).

RESULTS: Out of 19 patients with calcaneus fractures, 9 patients had unilateral fractures with a mean age of 9.5 years. There were ten patients with bilateral fractures, with a mean age of 8.9 years. The most common type of fracture was the joint depression type 56%, followed by avulsion fracture 17%. In 65 % non-operative treatment was conducted. At a mean follow-up of 6.3 years, the average FAAM score was 98.8. The mean PedsQL-PF (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-Physical function) was 97.9 and the mean PedsQL-PS (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-Psychosocial function) was 88.9. Joint depression type fractures were associated with inferior outcomes with a mean PedsQL-PF of 95.9 and mean PedsQL-PS of 84.8.

CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL, as measured by FAAM and PedsQL, was high overall in children and adolescents with calcaneal fractures. Lower scores were observed primarily in patients with joint depression type fractures.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY: This study provides the first assessment of mid-term health-related quality of life after pediatric calcaneal fractures, demonstrating excellent outcomes that contrast sharply with those reported in adults.