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 B?hler angle, Gissane angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) core (P>0.05), which were comparable. The operation time, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative B?hler 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 B?hler 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 B?hler 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.
Objective To evaluate the clinical results of subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction for malunion of calcaneal fractures and to discuss the indications and its advantages of the management. Methods From December 1994 to January 2006, 84 cases(96 feet) of malunion of calcaneal fractures were treated with subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction. The L-shaped approach lateral to calcaneus was used. The bone autograft was harvested from iliac crest. Fiftyone cases were male and 33 cases were female, aging from 21 to 58 years (mean 385 years).One side was in volved in 72 cases and two sides in 12 cases. The injury was caused by falling from height in 57 cases, by traffic accident in 22 cases and other in 5 cases. It was 6-31 months from injury to operation (mean 9.5 months). Results Among the patients, all cases were followed up 1 to 132 months. The total excellent and good rate was 87.5%, including excellent in 31 feet, good in 53 feet and fair in 12 feet,according to Hindfoot scores system (American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society). The B[AKo¨]hler’s and Gissane’s angles, the height of calcaneal thalamus and width of calcaneus were significant different from those of preoperation (Plt;0.01). Conclusion The treatment by bone autograft combined with subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction is an effective operation for malunion of calcaneal fractures, with advantages of correcting deformity, restoring the function of indfoot and relieving the pain of walking.
Objective To explore the safety and costs of orthopedic robot-assisted treatment of calcaneal fractures. Methods The data of patients with calcaneal fractures treated by surgery in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between January 2021 and July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to match 1∶4 patients with orthopedic robotic-assisted closed reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures (orthopedic robotic group) and traditional open reduction and internal fixation surgery (traditional surgery group). The safety and costs were compared between the two groups after matching. Results A total of 253 patients were included and divided into orthopedic robotic group (11 cases) and traditional surgery group (242 cases) according to different surgical methods. Before propensity score matching, there was no significant difference in age, gender, diagnosis and comorbidities between the two groups (P>0.05). After propensity score matching, there were 11 patients in the orthopedic robotic group and 44 patients in the traditional surgery group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, diagnosis and comorbidities between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in height, weight, body mass index, operation duration, average postoperative pain score, and highest postoperative pain score between the two groups (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss [10.0 (10.0, 20.0) vs. 20.0 (20.0, 50.0) mL], total length of hospital stay [(4.5±1.3) vs. (8.7±3.7) d], and postoperative length of hospital stay [(2.3±1.1) vs. (4.5±2.3) d] in the orthopedic robotic group were less than the traditional surgery group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total hospitalization costs, rehabilitation costs, inspection and examination costs between the two groups (P>0.05). The surgical cost of orthopedic robot group [1413.7 (1287.7, 1790.8) vs. 2331.2 (2195.1, 2548.6) yuan], total ward cost [(3154.5±1213.7) vs. (5711.9±2147.4) yuan], ward consumables cost [(1407.0±942.0) vs. (2409.4±1458.2) yuan], ward medication costs [(257.1±146.6) vs. (846.7±525.2) yuan], ward diagnosis and treatment costs [(901.6±366.6) vs. (2010.5±830.6) yuan], nursing care costs [(159.6±46.1) vs. (345.2±174.7) yuan], total postoperative costs [(2370.4±1324.0) vs. (3888.6±1554.9) yuan], postoperative care costs [(105.4±52.2) vs. ( 205.6±128.2) yuan] were lower than the traditional surgery group (P<0.05). Conclusion Orthopedic robot-assisted treatment of calcaneal fractures can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten hospitalization time, and have good safety. At the same time, it can reduce operating costs, total ward costs, ward medication costs and nursing costs.
Objective To evaluate the results of arthroscopically-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation by posterior approach to subtalar joint for calcaneal fractures of Essex-Lopresti tongue type, Sanders IIA, IIB, and IIIAB. Methods Sixteen patients with unilateral calcaneal fracture were treated with arthroscopically-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation by posterior approach to subtalar joint between June 2012 and June 2015. There were 13 males and 3 females with an average age of 37.8 years (range, 18-65 years). The injury causes included falling from height in 10 cases and traffic accident in 6 cases. Of 16 cases, 4 were classified as Essex-Lopresti tongue type, 5 as Sanders IIA, 4 as Sanders IIB, and 3 as Sanders IIIAB. The interval of injury and operation was 4-8 days (mean, 5.94 days). The B?hler angle, Gissane angle, and width of calcaneus were measured before and after operation. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used to evaluate the ankle function at 12 months after operation. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all cases, and no complications of infection, necrosis, and osseous fascia compartment syndrome occurred. The patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 13.63 months). The X-ray films showed that fracture line disappeared at 6 months after operation; the patients had no tenderness or percussion pain, no breakage or loosening of internal fixation, no varus calcaneus tuberosity, no subtalar joint fusion, and no compression symptoms of peroneal tendons. Achilles tendon irritation occurred in 2 cases, and disappeared after removal of internal fixation; traumatic arthritis occurred in 2 cases, and was relieved after removal of internal fixation. The B?hler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal width were significantly improved at 3 days and 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). The loss of the above indexes was observed at 6 months, showing no significant difference between at 3 days and 6 months (P>0.05). The AOFAS score results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 87.5%. Conclusion It has the advantages of little trauma, less complication, and good function recovery to use arthroscopically-assited closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation by posterior approach to subtalar joint for calcaneal fractures of Essex-Lopresti tongue type, Sanders IIA, Sanders IIB, and Sanders IIIAB.
Objective To review the application and research progress of subtalar distraction bone block arth-rodesis in the treatment of calcaneus fracture malunion. Methods The recent literature concerning the history, surgical technique, postoperative complication, indications, and curative effect of subtalar distraction arthrodesis with bone graft block interposition in the treatment of calcaneus fracture malunion was summarized and analyzed. Results Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis is one of the main ways to treat calcaneus fracture malunion, including a combined surgery with subtalar arthrodesis and realignment surgery for hindfoot deformity using bone block graft. The advantage is on the base of subtalar joint fusion, through one-time retracting subtalar joint, the posterior articular surface of subtalar joint implants bone block can partially restore calcaneal height, thus improving the function of the foot. Compared with other calcaneal malunion treatments, subtalar distraction arthrodesis is effective to correct complications caused by calcaneus fracture malunion, and it can restore the height of talus and calcaneus, correct loss of talocalcaneal angle, and ease pain. Conclusion Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis has made remarkable progress in the treatment of calcaneus fracture malunion, but it has the disadvantages of postoperative nonunion and absorption of bone block, so further study is needed.
To compare the effect and syndrome of treating intra-articular calcaneal fractures using Kirschner’s wire or AO calcaneal plate. Methods From March 2003 to March 2006, 71 cases (86 feet) of intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated with Kirschner’s wire or AO calcaneal plate. Among them, 39 cases (48 feet) were treated using Kirschner’s wire, male 34, female 5. The age ranged from 15 to 64 years old, 36 on average. The course of illness was from 4 hoursto 10 days. There were 9 double side bone fractures and 30 one side bone fractures. Based on Sanders type, Type II were 40 feet, Type III were 7 feet and Type IV was 1 foot. The other 32 cases (38 feet) were treated using AO calcaneal plate, male 30, female 2. The age ranged from 18 to 55 years old, 33 on average. The course of illness was from 4 hours to 10 days. There were 6 double side bone fractures and 26 one side bone fractures. A total of 31 feet belonged to Sanders Type II, 5 to Type III, and 2 to Type IV. The 12-month follow-up, at least, was carried out in order to valuate the patients. The valuating items included: preoperative and postoperative Bohler’s angle and Gissane’s angle; heel bone height and width(contrast with the opposite side); to judge reposition circs by means of the CT scan and Borden’s judgment; function valuation adopting the American Orthopedic Foot amp; Ankle Society (AOFAS) grade point system. Results Patients with Kirschner’s wire fixed were followed up for 12 to 48 months, and AOFAS score ranged from 75 to 100 points, 90.6 on average. The excellent and good rate was 87.8%. The preoperative Bohler’s angle was from 0 to 10°, 7.8° on average, and postoperative from 30 to 40°, 33.2° on average. The preoperation Gissane’s anglewas 75 to 95°, 84° on average; and postoperative from 115 to 135°, 125° on average. There was significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The postoperative compl ications were that 1 foot was the incision edge shallow putrescence and 1 foot was the needle way infection. Patients with AO calcaneal plate fixed were followed up for 12 to 48 months, and AOFAS score was from 49 to 100 points, 87.5 on average. The excellent and good rate was 81.6%.There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). The preoperative Bohler’s angle ranged from 0 to 15°, 6.5° on average, and postoperative from 25 to 40°, 30.2° on average. The preoperative Gissare’s angle was 72 to 92°, 80° on average; and postoperative from 115 to 130°, 120° on average. There was significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The postoperative compl ications were that 5 feet were the incision edge shallow putrescence, 1 was the common peroneal nerve hurt, and 1 was the petrous muscle aponeurotic inflammation. Conclusion There is no remarkable difference between the effects of treating intra-articular calcaneal fractures using plate or Kirschner’s wire, but the treatment with Kirschner’s wire is not only much easier and more economical, but has smaller wounds and fewer soft tissue problems.
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