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 review the application progress of minimally invasive technique in the treatment of calcaneus fractures and to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each method as well as to predict the trend of development in the field. Methods Domestic and abroad literature concerning the minimally invasive technique applied in calcaneus fractures in recent years was reviewed extensively and analyzed thoroughly. Results There are both advantages and limitations of each minimally invasive technique including percutaneous reduction and fixation, limited incision, external fixator, arthroscopic assisted reduction, and balloon expansion reduction. But every technique is developing rapidly and becoming more and more effective. Conclusion A variety of minimally invasive technique can not only be used independently but also can be applied jointly to complement one another. It needs further study how to improve the effectiveness and expand the indications. And the theoretical basis of evidence-based medicine needs to be provided more.
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.
Objective To investigate the value of using Footscan system to evaluate the therapeutic effect of two internal fixation methods on calcaneus fractures. Methods From February 2006 to September 2006, 64 patients with fresh unilateral closed calcaneus fractures were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group: 32 patients underwentminimally invasive open reduction and internal fixation with improved compressing plate and screw, including 28 males and 4 females aged 20-53 years old (average 36.7 years old); the course of disease was 3-14 days; there were 19 cases of type II, 11 of type III, and 2 of type IV according to Sanders fracture classification system. The control group: 32 patients underwent internal fixation of standard AO plate via L-shaped incision, including 29 males and 3 females aged 18-56 years old (average 37.1 years old); the course of disease was 4-15 days; there were 18 cases of type II, 11 of type III and 23 of type IV according to Sanders fracture classification system. No significant difference was noted between two groups in the general information (P gt; 0.05). At 1 and 2 years after operation, dynamic plantar pressure was measured using Footscan system, Maryland foot scores of two groups was compared, and statistical analysis was performed. Results All patients were followed up for 2 years. No infection, cuticular border necrosis, and sural nerve distal end injury occurred in the experimental group, whereas in the control group, 3 patients suffered from cuticular border necrosis and recovered after dressing, and 1 patient had sural nerve distal end injury with decreased sensation in local skin. At 1 and 2 years after operation, in the control group, there were significant differences between the injured foot and the normal foot in terms of impulse, instep index, motion range of subtalar joint, lateral displacement of footplate pressure center, and calcaneal width when patients stood on both feet (P lt; 0.05), whereas in the experimental group, no significant differences were noted between the injured foot and the normal foot in terms of the above parameters (P gt; 0.05). Significant differences were noted between two groups in terms of the above parameters (P lt; 0.05). The Maryland score 1 yearafter operation was (86.74 ± 8.56) points for the experimental group and (71.24 ± 10.06) points for the control group; at 2 years after operation, it was increased to (87.35 ± 8.49) points and (72.41 ± 9.69) points, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference between two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Operative outcomes of internal fixation with improved compressing plate are superior to those of standard AO plate. Footscan system can provide a quantitative assessment on the operative effect of calcaneus fractures.
Objective To review the progress of treatments for old calcaneal fractures. Methods The related literature of treatments for old calcaneal fractures were reviewed and analyzed from the aspects such as the pathoanatomy, classifications, and surgical treatments. Results Old calcaneal fractures are common in clinical, the anatomical changes are very complicated. In addition to classical open reduction and internal fixation, arthrodesis, and osteotomy, techniques of minimally invasive operation, external fixator, and three-dimensional printing are more and more widely applied, treatments for old calcaneal fractures nonunion have also received increasing attention. Conclusion Although the perfect strategy for treating old calcaneal fractures has not yet been developed, great progress has been achieved recently, the personalized therapy need to be further studied, and therapies for the early stage old calcaneal fractures and old calcaneal fractures nonunion need to be further explored.
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.