Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures by plate fixation via lateral transverse incisions and double-window approaches

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of plate fixation via the lateral transverse incisions and double-window approaches for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 21 intra-articular calcaneal fractures (22 feet) which had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital to Anhui Medical University from May 2014 to April 2016. There were 19 males and 2 females, aged from 20 to 60 years (average, 38.3 years). The fracture affected 13 left feet and 9 right feet. According to the Sanders classification, 10 feet were type Ⅱ, 11 type Ⅲ and one type Ⅳ. They were treated by plate fixation via the lateral transverse incisions and double-window approaches. Early complications within 3 months after operation, the length, width, height, Bohler angle and Gissane angle of the calcaneus one year after operation, functional recovery of the affected feet at the last follow-up, and complications were recorded. Results The 21 patients were followed up for 21 to 44 months (mean, 36.7 months). Incisions were all healed at the first postoperative stage with no serious skin or soft tissue complications like superficial infection, deep infection or wound dehiscence. At the early stage, one patient suffered epidermal necrosis at the margin of incision, which was cured after dressing change. None of the patients developed subtalar arthritis by the last follow-up. The preoperative length, width, height, Bohler angle and Gissane angle of the calcaneus (respectively, 68.6±1.2 mm, 46.7±0.8 mm, 39.1±2.0 mm, 5.4°±12.1° and 104.3°±10.2°) were significantly improved to 71.7±1.6 mm, 48.8±2.0 mm, 32.8±1.3 mm, 29.2°±6.8°, and 120.8°±6.2° one year after operation(P<0.05). At the last follow-up, their AOFAS ankle-hind foot scores averaged 92.7 points (from 73 to 98 points); 17 feet were rated as excellent, 3 as good and 2 as moderate, giving an excellent and good rate of 90.1%. Conclusion Plate fixation via the lateral transverse incisions and double-window approaches can reduce incidences of postoperative soft tissue complications and subtalar arthritis, leading to good clinical results in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Key words: Calcaneus; Fractures, bone; Fracture fixation, internal; Surgical approach