Bilateral calcaneal fractures with lumbar compression fracture

Case contributed by Matt Skalski
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Jumped from a height

Patient Data

Age: 30 years old
Gender: Male

On the left, there is a mildly comminuted fracture of the calcaneus involving the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. On the right, there is a severly comminuted fracture of the calcaneus involving the calcaneal body, posterior facet, sustentacular facet, and facet for the cuboid.  

There is an acute compression fracture at T12, with loss of anterior height but mantained posterior height. There is a questionable fracture of one of the superior articular processes at T12 as well. 

The right calcaneal fracture has a primary fracture line that extends into the middle of the posterior facet, making it a Sanders type 2B fracture. There is also an oblique non-displaced fracture extending in to the sustentaculum tali, as well as numerous small comminuted fragments about the other fracture sites. 

The right medial process fracture has several small comminuted fragments, but is minimally displaced from its parent site, and no other fractures are identified. 

Case Discussion

Bilateral calcaneal fractures should encourage search for a spinal fracture, even in the absence of significant spinal complaints. 

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