Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis for Calcaneal Fractures

This study is looking for adults aged 18 and older who have severe heel bone (calcaneus) fractures that need surgery. The goal is to compare two surgical methods to see which one helps people return to work sooner. Researchers will compare Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) combined with Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis (PSTA) – which is a joint fusion – against ORIF alone, which uses plates and screws to fix the bone. The study aims to find out which approach leads to an earlier return to work or daily activities. You can join if you have a specific type of heel fracture (Sanders III and IV, or Sanders II with certain other conditions) and can attend follow-up appointments for one year. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 218 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. It plans to enroll 218 participants.
What's involved
Participants will undergo one of two surgical procedures and complete surveys about their recovery. You will need to follow up at the study site for one year.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for one year after treatment, with specific measurements taken at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 6 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06249126

Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis for Calcaneal Fractures

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
~218 participants
Updated 2026-07-08 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Primary Fusion (Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) + Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis (PSTA)Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) only

At a glance

Recruiting sites
11 of 17 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Return to Work/Duty - Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs) Score
Measured over Week 6
+3 more outcomes measured
Calcaneus Fracture

NCT06249126

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 17 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Atrium Health Navicent

    Macon, Georgiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Emory University, Grady Memorial Research Hospital

    Atlanta, Georgiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

    Jamaica, New Yorkstudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • NYC Health and Hospital/Bellevue

    New York, New Yorkstudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute

    Charlotte, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Prisma Health

    Greenville, South Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • The University of Chicago

    Chicago, Illinoisstudy coordinator listed

    Not yet recruiting

  • University of California, Irvine

    Orange, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Joseph R Hsu, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Wake Forest University Health Sciences

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Undergoing operative treatment for displaced intra-articular calcaneus fracture
Sanders III and IV displaced intra-articular calcaneus fracture OR Sanders II with any of the following criteria: Bohler angle \< 0 degrees, open fracture, pain syndrome, substance use disorder
Age 18 or older
Able to follow up at site for 1 year

Exclusion

Planned surgery using extensile lateral approach
Sanders II displaced intra-articular calcaneus fracture without: Bohler angle \< 0 degrees, open fracture, pain syndrome, or substance
\<18 years of age
Body Mass Index (BMI) \>40
Unable to follow up at site for 1 year
Patients that speak neither English or Spanish
Prisoner
  • Return to Work/Duty - Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs) ScoreWeek 6

    The primary outcome is return to work/duty as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The IPAQ is a validated, self-report measure that captures detailed information about participation in a wide range of physical activities, including the number of days and amount of time spent in the previous 7 days. Responses for each type of physical activity are then transformed into the number of Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs), and a METs/week is calculated for each patient. The IPAQ has moderate concordance with accelerometry-measured METs in an orthopaedic injury patient population. (one MET is defined as 3.5 mL O2 uptake/kg per min, which is the resting oxygen uptake in a sitting position). Less than 5 METS is poor, 5-8 METS is fair, 9-11 METS is good, and 12 METS or more is excellent.

  • Return to Work/Duty - Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs) ScoreWeek 12

    The primary outcome is return to work/duty as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The IPAQ is a validated, self-report measure that captures detailed information about participation in a wide range of physical activities, including the number of days and amount of time spent in the previous 7 days. Responses for each type of physical activity are then transformed into the number of Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs), and a METs/week is calculated for each patient. The IPAQ has moderate concordance with accelerometry-measured METs in an orthopaedic injury patient population. (one MET is defined as 3.5 mL O2 uptake/kg per min, which is the resting oxygen uptake in a sitting position). Less than 5 METS is poor, 5-8 METS is fair, 9-11 METS is good, and 12 METS or more is excellent.

  • Return to Work/Duty - Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs) ScoreMonth 6

    The primary outcome is return to work/duty as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The IPAQ is a validated, self-report measure that captures detailed information about participation in a wide range of physical activities, including the number of days and amount of time spent in the previous 7 days. Responses for each type of physical activity are then transformed into the number of Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs), and a METs/week is calculated for each patient. The IPAQ has moderate concordance with accelerometry-measured METs in an orthopaedic injury patient population. (one MET is defined as 3.5 mL O2 uptake/kg per min, which is the resting oxygen uptake in a sitting position). Less than 5 METS is poor, 5-8 METS is fair, 9-11 METS is good, and 12 METS or more is excellent.

  • Return to Work/Duty - Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs) ScoreMonth 12

    The primary outcome is return to work/duty as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The IPAQ is a validated, self-report measure that captures detailed information about participation in a wide range of physical activities, including the number of days and amount of time spent in the previous 7 days. Responses for each type of physical activity are then transformed into the number of Metabolic Equivalent for Tasks (METs), and a METs/week is calculated for each patient. The IPAQ has moderate concordance with accelerometry-measured METs in an orthopaedic injury patient population. (one MET is defined as 3.5 mL O2 uptake/kg per min, which is the resting oxygen uptake in a sitting position). Less than 5 METS is poor, 5-8 METS is fair, 9-11 METS is good, and 12 METS or more is excellent.