Objective: To investigate the characteristics of calcaneal fractures with spiral CT multiplanar volume reconstruction(MPVR), surface shaded display(SSD), and to determine the effectiveness of MPVR and SSD in the diagnosis of calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: Patients suspected or diagnosed with calcaneal fracture were imaged by conventional scans with SCT, then 47 fractures diagnosed with intra-articular calcaneal fracture were further imaged with the techniques of MPVR and SSD to classify the fractures and to show the condition of involvement of joints. Results: Tuberosity slice showed the most involvement of articular facets in all cases and had difference in showing posterior facets with axial slice. Coronal slice was superior to show the medial and posterior facets while involvment of the calcaneo-cuboid facets were defined most clearly in axial and tuberosity slice. The severity of articular incongruity and rotational displacement of the posterior facet fragments were not well appreciated in coronal CT images of 11 fractures while could be very well showed in sagital construction. About 60% anterior facets were not visualised. The 3D reconstruction offered the spatial allocation of the individual slices, and well evaluated preoperatively the degree of joint injury and depression. Conclusion: Sprial CT 3D and MPVR have important value in the diagnosis of calcanenl fracture, 3D and MPVR play an important role in the preoperative classification of calcaneal fractures, and are useful for the selection of surgical approaches, and for the evaluation of prognosis.