There are a variety of titanium locking plates, with various ways of fixing the screws to the plate. Gives you a rigid construct, far superior to the old Synthes plates. One way this is done is to have the plate and the heads of the screws threaded. It is possible to have them lock up even if it is not quite square to the plate surface, very groovy
Yes, elevate the foot. That higher than the heart nonsense will just give you a sore back. Imagine you have a rubber boot full of water. Elevate the foot so the water goes out the top of the boot. Pillow or a rolled up towel at the small of the back, right above the hips, will be helpful.
Acute stuff is generally RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
What happens is the Talus is driven down through the Calcaneus. This beautiful illustration by Dr Netter even shows the pin to manipulate the fragment trick. You correct the position and throw a plate on the lateral side. The prone with the bent leg is to release the pull of the Achilles and make it easier to move the piece. There is a nerve runs above where the plate will be that can get irritated. I like the maxillofacial sets, they have this little cloverleaf plate that is truly the cat's ass for screwing together a heel.
Calcaneus is a very vascular bone, so it generally heals well. You can actually use it as a donor site for bone grafts.
If she smokes, she needs to stop like yesterday. Smoking is very bad for bone healing, healing in general really. The bad for your lungs is just the obvious thing.
