Minimally invasive splayed incisions for calcaneal fractures of sanders types II and III

Objective To evaluate the minimally invasive splayed incisions in the internal fixation with a conventional calcaneal plate for calcaneal fractures of sanders types Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Methods This prospective study was conducted from May 1st, 2016 to December 1st, 2017 in the 40 patients with calcaneal fracture at Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital. Their ages ranged from 23 to 55 years (average, 39.5 years). According to the Sanders classification, 27 fractures were type Ⅱ and 13 type Ⅲ. They were all treated with a conventional calcaneal plate through minimally invasive splayed incisions. The Bohler and Gissane angles, the height, width and length of the affected calcaneus were compared between preoperation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up; the clinical function of the affected feet was graded using the Maryland foot score; postoperative complications were observed. Results The 40 patients were followed up for an average of 12.5 months (from 11 to 16 months). All the skin incisions healed well with no skin necrosis or wound infection. No injury to the sural nerve occurred. All the fractures healed after an average of 8 weeks (from 7 to 10 weeks). All the patients resumed their routine daily activities and returned to their former work post after an average time of 4.1 months (from 3 to 6 months). At pre-operation, 3 months after operation and the last follow-up, their Bohler angles were respectively 19.2°±6.3°, 30.5°±6.4° and 29.9°±6.5°; their Gissane angles 103.9°±14.8°, 119.3°±5.6° and 119.8°±6.3°; their calcaneal heights (32.5±3.5) mm, (36.8±1.5) mm and (36.5±1.8) mm; their calcaneal widths (36.8±3.4) mm, (33.1±3.8) mm and (33.0±3.2) mm; their lengths (61.4±4.5) mm, (65.5±6.9) mm and (65.5±9.4) mm. In all the patients, the Bohler and Gissane angles and the calcaneal heights and lengths increased significantly while the calcaneal widths decreased significantly at 3 months after operation and the last follow-up (P 0.05). Their Maryland foot scores showed 35 excellent cases, 4 good cases and one fair case, giving an excellent and good rate of 97.5%. Conclusions A conventional calcaneal plate plus minimally invasive splayed incisions can be effective for calcaneal fractures of Sanders types Ⅱ and Ⅲ, leading to reduced wound complications, anatomical restoration of calcaneal morphology, and smooth subtalar articular surface. Key words: Calcaneus; Fractures, bone; Bone plate; Fracture fixation, internal; Minimally invasive