The effect of postoperative wound infections on functional outcome following intra-articular calcaneal fractures

INTRODUCTION: High rates of postoperative wound infections (POWI) are reported following the operative treatment of calcaneal fractures. This leads to additional therapy, prolonged hospital stay, burden for patients and increased costs. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of POWI following the extended lateral approach of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures on functional outcome. Secondary aims are assessment of health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive adult patients with a calcaneal fracture treated between 2000 and 2011 with open reduction and internal fixation through an extended lateral approach were retrospectively included and sent a questionnaire. Functional outcome was measured using the Foot Function Index (FFI, best score 0 points) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS, best score 100 points) hindfoot score. The EuroQOL-5D was used for quality of life (QOL) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, best score 10 points) for overall patients satisfaction. RESULTS: Of 135 eligible patients, 94 returned the questionnaire (response rate 70 %). The median FFI was 12 points (IQR 3–33) and AOFAS 79 points (IQR 61–90). The FFI and AOFAS were, respectively, 17 and 9 points higher in favour of patients without POWI (n = 69) compared to patients with POWI (n = 25). Albeit large differences, they were not statistically significant given the current number of patients. Patients without POWI scored better on all health-related aspects of QOL in the EQ-5D, but this did not reach statistical significance. However, the VAS on overall patient satisfaction did show a statistically significant difference of 1.3 points (9.0 vs 7.7; p = 0.01) in favour of patients without POWI. Importantly, a clinically relevant difference was found with the FFI as the estimated minimal clinical important difference of the FFI is 10 points. CONCLUSION: Our results implicate that postoperative wound infection leads lower functional outcome scores following calcaneal fracture surgery, but no statistical significance was reached. In addition, patients do not report significant worse QOL or physical impairment. Overall patient satisfaction measured by a VAS was significantly lower in case of a POWI, reflecting the burden caused by a wound complication.