Deciding how to manage displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is challenging. Preoperative assessment of the fracture, patient status, and the patient's functional needs are important in determining treatment approach. In general, older, sedentary patients and those with no or with minimally displaced fractures may be treated successfully with nonsurgical management. Traits strongly predictive of satisfaction with surgery include age younger than 40 years, simple fracture pattern, and accurate reduction. Smoking, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease markedly increase the risk of surgical complications. In addition, the quality of surgical reduction affects outcome.