Mid-term outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for fresh and old calcaneal fractures with locked plate

• Main Author: Tatsuji Fujiwara MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-09-01
• Series: Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011418S00224

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Since the mid-1990s, open reduction and internal fixation via an extended L-shaped lateral approach has been considered the gold standard for surgical treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. However, postoperative wound healing complications, including wound infection, skin edge necrosis, wound breakdown, and hematoma, remain a major concern. To minimize the incidence of and offer rigid stabilization of the calcaneal fracture fragments, we have performed minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with locked plate for fresh and old calcaneal fractures. This study aims to assess the clinical and radiological mid-term outcomes in surgical treatment of the fresh and old calcaneal fractures using a minimally invasive technique and a locking plate to permit early weight bearing. Methods: A total of 29 fractures in 24 patients were found that met our inclusion criteria. 23 foots were fresh calcaneal fractures with an average age of 53.9 years (range, 17-80 years). We defined calcaneal fractures more than 6 weeks old as old calcaneal fracture. 6 foots were old calcaneal fractures with an average age of 43 years (range,35-52 years). Patients with fresh calcaneal fracture had been followed up for an average of 25.8 months (range, from 18-65 months). Patients with old calcaneal fracture had been followed up for an average of 29.4 months (range, from 24-48 months). The mean interval between injury and operation was 8.9 days (3-19 days) in fresh calcaneal fractures and 97 days (43-154 days) in old calcaneal fractures. There were 19 foots Sanders type II fractures, 9 foots Sanders type III and one Sanders type IV. Results: For fresh calcaneal fractures, the mean change in Böhler’s angle and width of the calcaneus from immediately after surgery to final follow-up were 0.5° and 0.7 mm, respectively. For old calcaneal fractures, the mean change in Böhler’s angle and width of the calcaneus from immediately after surgery to final follow-up were 3.4° and 1.7 mm, respectively. The reduction was graded as nearly anatomical (less than 2 mm residual articular displacement) in all fractures. One of the 22 foots had a blister. There were no events of osteomyelitis or infection or nonunion. Eight foots had revision surgery for symptomatic hardware removal. At final follow up the average American Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) were 82.8 for fresh calcaneal fractures and 83.2 for old calcaneal fractures. Conclusion: This study is first report to show that MIPO with locked plate and early weight bearing can be effectively treated for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Surgical preparation, reduction maneuvers, and fixation techniques can take time to master; however, with experience, all types of calcaneus fractures can be treated with this technique.