Through the last two decades, we have seen the refinement of surgical techniques and an increased level of sophistication regarding the selection of patients for surgical intervention. We have gained an understanding of patient's characteristics, which are predictive of increased complications and unpredictable outcomes.

Surgically, the pendulum continues to swing back and forth between extensile approaches to the calcaneus and minimally invasive techniques. Now more than ever before, there are a variety of instruments, technologies and implants available to the surgeon to address these fractures. Globally, these techniques are being utilized to refine the treatment of calcaneal fracture patients.

Mandeep S Dhillon has been a pioneer for foot and ankle surgery. He has chosen to focus one entire textbook into a fracture that has been full of controversies, life-changing for the patient, and at times, having uncertain outcomes. This book relies on the expertise of global surgeons to provide their insight into the current state of treatment of calcaneal fractures. The content of the book evolves from the basic understanding of the anatomy of the calcaneus, to fracture patterns, the mechanism of injury, and nonoperative and operative fixation options. More importantly, this book provides contents to the reader regarding rehabilitation, outcomes and a review of evidence-based medicine.

I am confident that this book will be invaluable to the reader. It may enhance or change the treatment of calcaneal fractures. Ultimately, I am sure this book will improve the care of patients receiving globally.

Calcaneal fractures are difficult clinical trauma situations to manage, often in patients who are young and involved in manual work and, furthermore, often associated with other injuries. The results of the management of these fractures are often difficult to quantify and conclusive evidence is sparse at best. Surgical algorithms for their treatment are complex and controversial. Preoperative planning and procedural specifics are still evolving. Iatrogenic complications are still high and often reflect a poor understanding of the pathoanatomy of the fracture in its three-dimensional complexity. These fractures are not for the occasional surgeon!

This book goes a long way in unpicking the various components of the fracture complex and its treatment. It compartmentalizes the various aspects elegantly making it easy-to-read book not only for the accomplished senior surgeon but also for the young surgeon about to embark on a foot and ankle surgical career. The information in it allows for a wide exposure to the topic at hand and serves as a reference for all matters related to calcaneal fractures. Whether it is a quick reminder for the senior surgeon or a step-by-step guide for a novice, it is very useful for all surgeons wishing to provide optimal treatment of this fracture.

I have had the pleasure of working with Professor Dhillon on many an educational forums and have marveled at his teaching style which always demonstrated clarity of thought, precise articulation and a practical approach to problem solving in foot and ankle surgery. This book certainly exemplifies his various traits and will, therefore, be by definition easy to read and understand.

Many congratulations to Professor Dhillon and his contributors for this fine addition to the orthopedic library providing an up-to-date and erudite instructional text on calcaneal fractures.

In modern orthopedics, the recognition that inadequate treatment of foot injuries can have lifelong disastrous complications are coming to the forefront. Surgeons realize that complex midfoot injuries need to be accurately reconstructed, calcaneus fractures benefit from well-applied surgical interventions, and the talus needs an accurate reduction and stabilization.

The calcaneus, or “os calcis” is the most commonly fractured bone in the foot, in addition to being the largest, and has a major role in the biomechanics of the whole foot. Nevertheless, controversy still exists as to whether the outcomes are better with or without surgery. I personally feel that this data may be skewed somewhat by the fact that some operations on fractured calcaneus may have been done by inexperienced surgeons, leading to more complications and, hence, the impression that surgery may not be so beneficial in these cases.

The purpose of this book is to dispel this myth. There is enough evidence in the literature that if surgery is done in well-selected patients, in a proper way, using appropriate implants, the outcomes could be significantly improved. The structure of this book is thus designed for surgeons of all levels of training and experience. There are chapters, which talk about radiology, patient selection, surgical exposures, and rehabilitation, which would help the trauma surgeon doing all kinds of fracture surgeries. Chapters on primary arthrodesis, minimally invasive surgery, malunion corrections and role of arthroscopy are meant for the specialist foot surgeons. And, of course, there are specific chapters, which discuss how outcomes are measured, and how patients are rehabilitated. Perhaps, one of the most important chapters reviews the evidence-based medicine for calcaneal fracture management.

In a nutshell, I have tried to compile the best available data, contributed by the best minds currently working in their respective fields, with the singular aim of helping the reader manage any type of calcaneal fracture that they encounter, at any stage of their career. I hope that this aim is achieved, as one of my passions is educating the young minds of today, especially in areas of interest that are dear to me.

On the personal front, the usual suspects come to the forefront. My wife of many years, Rima, who indulges with me in my long hours on the computer; my mother (of longer years!), Dr Ganda Singh, who gave me the gift to clearly express myself in my formative years. And, of course, my two sons, Himmat and Sidak, who have stoically borne my absences from their lives as I struggled with my academic aspirations. Perhaps, they are better off for it.

I definitely have to acknowledge the many patients, who form the basis of much of the knowledge that I have gained to be able to reach this level of understanding. And, of course, all the authors who have contributed to this work, from India and abroad, without whom the value of this book would be much diminished.

Collectively, I thank you all.fm14fm15fm16fm17fm18