Pseudarthrosis of the Calcaneus: Advantages of Regenerative Medicine in the Management of a Rare Entity, A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: The follow-up of calcaneal fractures has shown that they are difficult to manage and lead to multiple complications such as malunion and subtalar osteoarthritis. Pseudarthrosis of the calcaneus is an extremely rare complication, which was described in the literature through case reports. In the existing literature, only seven studies, including thirteen patients have reported the nonunion. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study elucidates the role of new techniques of regenerative medicine such as Bone Marrow Concentrates (BMC) or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the management. Methods: We report a case of a patient with a pseudarthrosis after a calcaneal fracture treated with BMC injection in the non-union site, without the need for surgical approach. Results: Four months after treatment, the patient was ambulant without support and was completely pain-free. Moreover, after one year the radiological follow up by CT scan showed a satisfactory filling of the non union. Conclusion: In one case, we try to highlight the advantage of our therapeutic alternatives, which are having a good union while avoiding the complications of surgical approaches and without sacrificing the subtalar joint when it is possible.