Arthroscopic management of a cavitated calcaneum following gunshot injury

Abstract

We report a 35 year old man who sustained a close range through and through gunshot injury to his calcaneum causing a comminuted cavitated fracture with contamination from his socks and shoe. He was successfully treated by a novel technique of intra-osseous arthroscopic removal of contamination debris, debridement and extensive arthroscopic washout. At a second stage, the fracture was bone grafted from his iliac crest with subsequent union of the fracture and reconstitution of the trabeculae, meaning he regained excellent hindfoot function. At 2 years follow-up there has been no sequelae from his injury and he remains pain and infection free.