Objective To probe into the effectiveness of vertical compression of locking plate combined with hollow screws in the treatment of Sanders type Ⅱ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures. MethodsThe clinical data of 128 patients with Sanders type Ⅱ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures who were admitted between March 2019 and April 2022 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 65 patients were treated with locking plate combined with hollow screw vertical compression (study group), and 63 patients were treated with simple locking plate (control group). There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, fracture side and Sanders classification, cause of injury, time from injury to operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score (including total score, pain score, functional score, and alignment score) was used to evaluate the recovery of foot function, and imaging indicators such as calcaneal width, calcaneal height, calcaneal length, Böhler angle, and Gissane angle were measured on X-ray films. ResultsAll patients were followed up 12 months after operation. There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). Poor wound healing occurred in 1 case in the study group and 2 cases in the control group. At 12 months after operation, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the pre- and post-operative difference of calcaneal length, calcaneal height, Gissane angle, and Böhler angle (P>0.05). However, the pre- and post-operative difference in calcaneal width in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The pre- and post-operative difference of AOFAS total score in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and further analysis showed that the pre- and post-operative difference of pain and function scores in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative difference of force score between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with simple locking plate treatment, the treatment of Sanders type Ⅱ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures with vertical compression of locking plate combined with hollow screws can more effectively improve the width of the subtalar calcaneal articular surface, avoid peroneal longus and brevis impingement, reduce pain, and increase the range of motion of the subtalar joint, and the effectiveness is better.
Objective To explore the method and effectiveness of lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints. Methods Between January 2009 and March 2011, 36 cases of calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints were treated by the lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach and calcaneal anatomical plate fixation. There were 27 males and 9 females with an average age of 38.7 years (range, 19-58 years). According to the Sanders classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type II, 20 cases of type III, and 4 cases of type IV. The Bouml;hler and Gissane angles were (6.21 ± 10.48)° and (89.85 ± 12.34)°, respectively. The average time from injury to surgery was 4.2 days (range, 2-14 days). Results Superficial skin flap necrosis and wound exudate occurred in 1 case respectively, which were cured after dressing change; primary healing was obtained in the other cases. All the cases were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 15.2 months). The X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with an average healing time of 10.6 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). The reduction of articular surface was satisfactory, and the heel height returned to normal. No complication of breakage of internal fixation or traumatic arthritis occurred. The Bouml;hler and Gissane angles were (29.64 ± 5.33)° and (121.75 ± 6.65)°, respectively at 3 months after operation, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative values (t=43.800, P=0.000; t=33.200, P=0.000). The average time of plate removal was 11.2 months (range, 9-20 months). According to Maryland foot score, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. Conclusion The lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach is an effective method to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints, which can expose the fracture fully, restore the anatomy of the calcaneal bone, and do early exercise under the condition of rigid internal fixation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of modified tarsal sinus approach and traditional tarsal sinus approach in the treatment of Sanders Ⅱ-Ⅲ type calcaneal fractures.MethodsBetween January 2015 and August 2017, 53 patients with Sanders Ⅱ-Ⅲ type calcaneal fractures were selected and divided into observation group (21 cases, using modified tarsal sinus approach for fracture reduction after exposure of the subtalar joint below the long and short fibular tendon) and control group (32 cases, using traditional tarsal sinus approach) by random number method. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, side, cause of injury, fracture type, injury to operation time, and preoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) core (P>0.05), which were comparable. The operation time, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and postoperative angle improvement values of the two groups were recorded and compared. VAS score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score were used to evaluate the effectiveness.ResultsAll the 53 patients successfully completed the operation without serious complications such as vascular and nerve injury and perioperative death. There was no significant difference in operation time and postoperative drainage volume between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 17 months). No infection, fracture displacement, failure of internal fixation, and malunion of fracture occurred after operation. None of the patients underwent secondary joint fusion. There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (t=0.30, P=0.77). The postoperative Böhler angle and Gissane angle at 2 days in the two groups were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and improvement value between the observation group and the control group at 2 days after operation (P>0.05). VAS scores at 24 hours and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with that before operation in both groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at 24 hours and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS scores between the two groups at 1 year after operation (t=1.46, P=0.15). However, the SF-36 scale score at 1 year after operation was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=2.08, P=0.04). At last follow-up, 2 patients in the observation group and 8 patients in the control group presented subtalar joint stiffness or pain, and there was no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups (χ2=1.98, P=0.16).ConclusionThe modified tarsal sinus approach for the treatment of Sanders Ⅱ-Ⅲ type calcaneal fractures has the advantages of minimal invasion, clear reduction under direct vision, reliable reduction and fixation, and low incision complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate and medial supporting cannulated screw fixation via tarsal sinus approach in treatment of Sanders type Ⅱ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures. Methods A clinical data of 46 patients with Sanders type Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fractures met the selective criteria between March 2016 and March 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. The factures were fixed with minimally invasive plate and medial supporting cannulated screws via tarsal sinus approach in 20 cases (group A) and with minimally invasive plate in 26 cases (group B). There was no significant difference between groups in term of the gender, age, injury causes, fracture type and side, the time from injury to operation, and preoperative calcaneal length and width, Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and the interval between operation and full weight-bearing were recorded. The pain improvement of patients was evaluated by VAS scores before operation and at 48 hours after operation. The ankle joint function was evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at 3 and 12 months after operation. Besides, the calcaneal length and width, Böhler angle, and Gissane angle were measured by X-ray films before and after operation. Furthermore, the difference (loss value) between 3, 12 months and 1 day after operation was calculated. Moreover, the fracture healing and healing time was observed. ResultsAll operations of two groups were successfully completed. The incisions healed by first intention, and no vascular/nerve injury or incision infection occurred. The operation time of group A was significantly longer than that of group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and the interval between operation and full weight-bearing (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 14.8 months). The VAS scores at 48 hours after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in the two groups (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the difference of pre- and post-operative VAS score between groups (P>0.05). The AOFAS scores at 12 months after operation were significantly higher than those at 3 months after operation in the two groups (P<0.05); and there was no significant difference between groups at 3 and 12 months (P>0.05). X-ray films showed that the fractures of the two groups healed and there was no significant difference in healing time (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in calcaneal length and width and Gissane angle between groups at each time point (P>0.05), but there was significant difference in Böhler angle between groups at 12 months (P<0.05). The imaging indexes of the two groups significantly improved at each time point after operation when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P>0.05) in the imaging indexes of group A. There were significant differences in the calcaneal length, calcaneal width, and Gissane angle of group B between 12 months and 1 day, 3 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between 1 day and 3 months after operation (P>0.05). The differences in Böhler angle of group B between different time points after operation were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in the loss of all imaging indexes at 3 months after operation (P>0.05). The losses of calcaneal width, Böhler angle, and Gissane angle in group A at 12 months after operation were significantly smaller than those in group B (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the loss of calcaneus length between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with only minimally invasive plate fixation, the combination of minimally invasive plate and medial supporting cannulated screw fixation via tarsal sinus approach for Sanders type Ⅱ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures has the advantages of less trauma, less incision complications, reliable fracture reduction and fixation, and good long-term stability.
Objective To analyze the non-operation related risk factors of the wound complications by using lateral extensive L-shaped incision for open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 58 patients with closed calcaneal fractures (63 calcaneus) treated by using lateral intensive L-shaped incision for open reduction and internal fixation between September 2006 and August 2011. There were 52 males (56 calcaneus) and 6 females (7 calcaneus), aged 18 to 64 years (mean, 35 years). The causes of injury included fall injury in 53 cases (58 calcaneus), traffic injury in 5 cases (5 calcaneus). The mean time between injury and operation was 8 days (range, 3-22 days). According to Sanders classification, 4 calcaneus were rated as type II, 31 calcaneus as type III, and 28 calcaneus as type IV. Postoperative complications were observed and graded; 58 patients were divided into complication group (≥grade 2) and control group (lt; grade 2). The univariate analysis was used to analyze 18 factors which may lead to wound complications; multi-factor unconditioned logistic regression analysis was done for the factors showing significant difference. Results According to postoperative wound complications grading, 41 patients (46 calcaneus) were included in the control group, whose incision healed primarily, and 17 patients (17 calcaneus) in the complication group. In 17 patients of the complication group, 14 had skin necrosis or dehiscence, and 3 had superficial infection; they obtained healing after symptomatic treatment. The univariate analysis showed significant differences in combined spinal fracture, diabetes mellitus, and long-term smoking between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed that combined spinal fracture was an independent risk factor for wound complications (95% confidence interval: 0.004-0.360, P=0.004). Conclusion Combined spinal fracture is an independent risk factor for wound complications after open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fracture using lateral extensive L-shaped incision.
Objective To precisely treat compl icated calcaneal fracture by 3D simulation through computer aid designed operation. Methods From November 2007 to March 2008, 38 patients of calcaneal fracture were treated. There were 29 males and 9 females aged 14-69 years old (average 29.8 years old). According to Sanders classification, there were 4 patients oftype I, 14 of type II, 12 of type III, and 8 of type IV. The time between injury and surgery was 3 hours to 5 days. The CT images of calcaneal fracture of 38 patients were put into computer for 3D reconstruction, then the Bouml;hler angles were measured and bone grafting angles were designed. According to the angle surveyed by the computer, the individual-oriented operation program was made, and then the operation was done under C-arm X-ray machine. Results The preoperative Bouml;hler angel was (34.58 ± 4.38)° in the normal side and (8.33 ± 12.62)° in the injured side, indicating there was significant difference (P lt; 0.05). During the process of the poking reduction by 3D simulation, when the bone rotating angle was (28.84 ± 6.51)°, the Bouml;hler angel was restored to (32.86 ± 1.72)°, indicating there was no significant difference when compared with the normal side before operation (P gt; 0.05), and significant difference compared with the injured side before operation (P lt; 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were followed up for 12-22 months (average 18 months). The Bouml;hler angel was restored to (32.41 ± 1.42)° 1 year after operation. According to the foot function scoring system made by American Ankle Surgery Association, 16 cases were graded as excellent, 10 as good, 1 as fair, 1 as poor, and the excellent and good rate was 92.9%. Conclusion Computer aid designed operation of compl icated calcaneal fracture by 3D simulation technique can restore the Bouml;hler angel and subtalar joint precisely. It is aneffective supplementary treatment method for calcaneal fracture.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of calcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis in the treatment of Stephens Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture malunion. MethodsThe clinical data of 24 patients with severe calcaneal fracture malunion treated by calcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 males and 4 females with an average age of 42.8 years (range, 33-60 years). Conservative treatment of calcaneal fracture failed in 19 cases and operation failed in 5 cases. Stephens classification of calcaneal fracture malunion was type Ⅱ in 14 cases, and type Ⅲ in 10 cases. Preoperative Böhler angle of calcaneus was 4.0°-13.5° (mean, 8.6°), Gissane angle was 100°-152° (mean, 119.3°). The time from injury to operation was 6-14 months (mean, 9.7 months). American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at last follow-up. Bone healing was observed and the healing time was recorded. The talocalcaneal height, talus inclination angle, Pitch angle, calcaneal width, and hindfoot alignment angle were measured. Results Necrosis of the cuticle edge of the incision occurred in 3 cases, which were cured by dressing change and oral administration of antibiotic therapy. The other incisions healed by first intention. All the 24 patients were followed up 12-23 months, with an average of 17.1 months. The foot shape of the patients recovered well, the shoes were restored to the size before injury, and there was no anterior ankle impingement. Bone union was achieved in all patients, and the healing time ranged from 12 to 18 weeks, with an average of 14.1 weeks. At last follow-up, no adjacent joint degeneration occurred in all patients; 5 patients had mild foot pain during walking, which had no significant impact on daily life and work; no patient needed revision surgery. The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was significantly higher than that before operation (P<0.001), the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 4 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. The VAS score, talocalcaneal height, talus inclination angle, Pitch angle, calcaneal width, and hindfoot alignment angle were significantly improved after operation (P<0.001). ConclusionCalcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis can effectively relieve hindfoot pain, correct talocalcaneal height, restore talus inclination angle, and reduce the risk of nonunion after subtalar arthrodesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and safety of subgluteal approach continous sciatic nerve block with 0.2% ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia in calcaneal fracture patients. MethodsForty calcaneal fracture patients treated from May 2012 to January 2013 were randomly assigned to two groups:20 patients in continuous sciatic nerve block group (group CSB) and 20 patients in self-controlled intravenous analgesia group (group PCIA).Patients in group CSB were given subgluteal approach continuous sciatic nerve block,and PCA pump was connected to give 0.2% ropivacaine via continuous nerve block catheter continuously for analgesia.Patients in group PCIA were given PCA pump directly for self-controlled intravenous analgesia.The movement/rest VAS scores and Ramsay scores at 2,8,24,48 hours after surgery,the dose of other analgesia drugs after surgery,the satisfaction of patients and surgeons,and side effects were recorded. ResultsThe movement and rest visual analogue scale (VSA) scores and the dose of analgesia drugs in group CSB were significantly lower than group PCIA at all time points (P<0.05).The satisfaction of patients and surgeons in group CSB was higher than group PCIA (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with self-controlled intravenous analgesia,subgluteal approach continuous sciatic nerve block with 0.2% ropivacaine can provide better and safer postoperative analgesia for calcaneal fracture patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical outcomes of 3D-printing assisting minimally invasive fixation of calcaneal fractures. MethodsThe study included 12 patients who were diagnosed with calcaneal fractures between October 2014 and May 2015. Using a real-size 3D-printed calcaneus model, the calcaneal locking plate could be preshaped before the operation and used with a minimally invasive approach to achieve rigid plate fixation just as with the lateral approach. Complications and surgery time were recorded and functional results were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot Society ankle-metapedes score (AOFAS). The reduction of fracture was evaluated using the Bohler angle and Gissane angle. ResultsThere was no relevant postoperative complications. All fractures got bone union. The mean postoperative Bohler angle was (29.4±6.1) ° and the mean postoperative Gissane angle was (121.4±12.6) °. The difference in Bohler angle and calcaneal Gissane angle before and after the surgery was significant (P ＜ 0.01) . The mean postoperative AOFAS score was 75.2±5.4, and the fine/excellent rate was 83.3%. ConclusionWe believe this novel technique can be useful for the operative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
To investigate the therapeutic effect of open reduction, bone grafting, and internal fixation with plastic ti-alloy plate on intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Methods From January 2005 to December 2007, 32 patients (37 feet) with intra-articular calcaneal fracture underwent open reduction, bone grafting of autogeneic il ium (30-80 g) and internal fixation of plastic ti-alloy plate. There were 21 males and 11 females aged 18-56 years old (average 42.1 years old). There were 5 cases of bilateral calcaneal fracture and 27 cases of unilateral calcaneal fracture, including 2 cases of open fracture and 30 cases of close fracture. According to Sanders classification system, there were 11 cases of type II, 18 cases of type III and 8 cases of type IV. Preoperatively, Bouml;hler angle was (— 9.6 ± 4.2)° and Gissane angle was (101.4 ± 10.6)°. Nine feet underwent emergency operation and 28 feet received operation 5-7 days after injury. Results The wounds of 34 feet healed by first intention. The wound margin of 3 feet was gray with a small amount of colorless exudates, and healed after dressing change. All patients were followed for 12-24 months (average 16 months). X-ray films displayed that the fracture all healed within 3-4 months after operation. At 6 months after operation, the Bouml;hler angle and the Gissane angle was (28.5 ± 6.1)° and (128.9 ± 4.8)°, respectively, indicating there were significant differences when compared with before operation (P lt; 0.05). According to Maryland foot score system, 15 cases were graded as excellent, 18 cases were good, 4 cases were poor, and the excellent and good rate was 89.19%. Conclusion Open reduction, bone grafting, and internal fixation with plastic ti-alloy plate is an effective method to treat intra-articular calcaneal fracture. Choosing right operational timing, performing subarticular surface grafting when necessary and using appropriate plastic ti-alloy plate internal fixation can minimize the incidence of postoperative compl ications