This meta-analysis identified 10 studies (891 patients) that assessed the use of surgical treatment versus nonsurgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF). The results indicated that surgical treatment was significantly better at recovering the Bohler angle and produced a more stable calcaneal height and width. Also, fewer surgical patients required larger shoe sizes, and a greater number of patients were able to resume pre-injury work. There were no significant residual pain differences between the surgical and nonsurgical treatment; however, surgical treatment was associated with a higher risk of complication.