Complications in surgical management of calcaneal fractures with anatomical plates

<p class="abstract"><span lang="EN-US">Calcaneal fractures, irrespective of their types, are treated non-operatively, one of the reasons being fear of complications. But conservatively managed fractures can result in equally problematic complications. Incidence of subtalar arthritis in such cases is reported to be 16.9% compared 3.3% in cases treated surgically. With surgical treatment aimed at achieving anatomical joint reduction, regaining calcaneal height, its length and width, successful attempts at curtailing the long-term complications can be made. This was a prospective study of 20 cases of calcaneal fractures, admitted to MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy from August 2020 to September 2021 were treated with ORIF with non-locking anatomical calcaneal plates using Fernandez’s approach, without use of bone graft. Essex Lopresti and Sander’s classification were used. Intra-operative assessment of reduction and articular surface reconstruction was done under fluoroscopic guidance. Regular follow up was done for assessment of fracture union and complications, assessment of late collapse. Among the 20 cases, 73% were men and 27% women. On typing the fractures based on Essex-Lopresti classification, intra-articular tongue type constituted 13% and 87% were of joint depression. Near normal anatomical reduction was obtained in all cases except in one where it was difficult due to comminution noted during surgery. 2 cases developed superficial skin necrosis at the surgical site, 1 case of deep infection and abscess formation and 3 cases of subtalar arthritis. This study showed that the incidence of long-term complications can probably be minimized by restoring the altered anatomy through surgical means; hence we advocate surgical management and accurate anatomical reduction in cases of displaced and comminuted calcaneal fractures with proper surgical principles. </span></p>

Outcomes of intra-articular calcaneal fractures: surgical treatment of 114 consecutive cases at a maximum care trauma center

Background The aim of this retrospective monocentric study was to investigate the outcomes of surgically treated intra-articular calcaneus fractures in a maximum care trauma center. Methods One hundred forty patients who had undergone surgery for intra-articular calcaneal fractures between 2002 and 2013 were included. One hundred fourteen cases with 129 fractures were eligible to participate in the study of which 80 were available for a clinical and radiological follow-up. 34 patients were followed up by telephone interview only. Outcome measures included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, Short Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), complications, and subsequent surgeries. Results Mean follow-up was 91 months (range 12–183). The overall complication rate was 29% (37/129 ft). Disturbed wound healing (11%) and infection (5%) occurred most commonly. Non-union (4%) only occurred in smokers (p = 0.02). A high rate of posttraumatic subtalar arthritis (77%) and need for subsequent subtalar fusion (18%) without independent risk factors for subsequent subtalar fusion was found. The revision rate was high (60%) after primary fusion. Mean AOFAS-hindfoot score was 74 (Sanders I: 99, Sanders II: 74, Sanders III: 77, Sanders IV: 70). The postoperative Boehler angle improved significantly in all subgroups (p < 0.01). Patients with a decreased Boehler angle between postoperative images and the follow-up had significantly lower AOFAS hindfoot scores (p < 0.01). Conclusions Our data can aid decision-making in the treatment of calcaneal fractures. We advocate to use primary subtalar fusion with caution due to the high revision rate. Smoking status should always be considered. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Recognition, Treatment, and Outcome of Calcaneal Fracture-Dislocation

Background: Calcaneal fracture-dislocations are rare but potentially disabling injuries that are regularly overlooked at first presentation. To date, only about 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Methods: Over a period of 8 years, 10 patients (average age 61.7 years) with acute fracture-dislocations of the calcaneus were treated at 2 level 1 trauma centers. The calcaneocuboid joint was involved in 9 patients. There was a concomitant fracture of the lateral talar process and of the tip of the distal fibula in 7 patients each. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 9 of 10 patients via an oblique lateral dislocation approach. One patient underwent primary subtalar fusion. All patients were seen for clinical and radiographic follow-up at an average of 3 years using patient-reported outcome scores. Results: Anatomic fixation was achieved in all patients as judged by postoperative computed tomographic imaging. In the 9 patients treated with internal fixation, the Foot Function Index averaged 12.8, the EuroQol 5D score averaged 0.89 and the visual analog scale score for patient satisfaction averaged 79.3 at final follow-up. Signs of mild subtalar arthritis were seen in 6 patients. No secondary subtalar fusions were needed. Conclusion: When recognized and treated early, prognosis of calcaneal fracture-dislocation was favorable. A dislocation approach starting over the distal fibula, continuing over the sinus tarsi, and extending toward the calcaneocuboid joint allowed for adequate visualization of the subtalar joint and treatment of all components of the injury. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Evaluation of patient outcomes after operative treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures

Background: Percutaneous reduction with fixation and open reduction internal fixation are often used to treat intra-articular calcaneus fractures with no consensus on the preferred method. Open techniques have been associated with an increased risk of wound complications, while percutaneous techniques may result in inferior reduction capabilities. These injuries pose a challenge to patients as they often result in poor patient outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed patient outcomes of a single surgeon’s experience in treating these injuries at a busy urban Level 1 trauma center. Methods: Patients with intra-articular calcaneus fractures managed operatively over 10 years with a minimum six-month follow-up were included. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on operative technique: closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (CRPF) or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Descriptive analysis of each cohort included postoperative infection, the need for repeat operations, development of post-traumatic subtalar arthritis, and reduction capabilities as assessed by Bohler’s angle. Results: Sixty-two patients were included in this study, with 33 patients in the CRPF group and 29 patients in the ORIF group. Infection requiring a return to the operating room occurred in 1 (3%) CRPF and 7 (24%) ORIF patients. Instrumentation was removed in 23 (70%) CRPF and 9 (31%) ORIF patients. Clinical subtalar arthritis developed in 10 (30%) CRPF and 7 (24%) ORIF patients, requiring arthrodesis in 2 (6%) and 5 (17%) patients, respectively. Both techniques had acceptable restoration of Bohler’s angle immediately postoperatively and at final follow-up. Conclusions: Percutaneous reduction with fixation and open reduction internal fixation may both be considered for the surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Indications for each technique may vary between surgeons, and each has its own set of risk factors and complications, however, both have been shown to result in an acceptable reduction. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Evaluation of open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular fracture of calcaneum- A short term study

Introduction: Management of displaced intraarticular fracture of calcaneum is controversial. Non-operative management often have unsatisfactory result due to subtalar arthritis and abnormal foot morphology. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcome of patients with displaced intra-articular fracture of calcaneum treated by open reduction and internal fixation(ORIF) with plates and screws through extensile lateral approach. Methodology: This was prospective clinical study conducted in Nobel Medical College between November 2016 to December 2019. The patients were treated by ORIF with calcaneal plates and screws through extensile lateral approach. Patients were followed up for minimal one year. Patients were evaluated clinically by using AOFAS hind foot score and radiologically by measuring Bohler’s and Gissane angle and calcaneal height and width. Results: Out of total 26 cases, fifteen were sander’s type II, eight were type III and three were type IV. The mean age of patients was 33.92 years. The mean delay of surgery due to swelling was 8.65±1.95 days. The averagefollow-up period was 17 months. The mean AOFAS hind foot score was85.08±7.67. Tenpatients (38.46%) had excellent, twelve patients(48.61%) had good and four patients(15.38%) had fair outcome.There were significant association between improvement in Bohler’s and Gissane angle and functional outcome measured by AOFAS hind foot score. Conclusion : Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intraarticular fracture of calcaneum with calcaneal plates and screws through extensile lateral approach produce good clinical and radiological result.

2020 IFFAS Award for Excellence Winner: Outcomes and Complications of Open versus Posterior Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Multicenter Study

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Open subtalar arthrodesis is a standard treatment for subtalar joint arthritis. Recently, posterior arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis (PASTA) has been introduced and gained increasing popularity due to fasten recovery time and better cosmesis. However, there is limited current studies to report outcomes and complications between the two techniques. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes and complications between open and PASTA techniques. Methods: A prospective, randomized collected data of 56 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with isolated subtalar arthritis and underwent either open (28 patients) or PASTA (28 patients) between 2016 and 2019 were enrolled in this study. The minimum follow-up time to be included in this study was 12 months. The primary outcome was union rate which was confirmed by post-operative CT scan. The secondary outcomes were union time, VAS, SF-36, FAAM, tourniquet times, and complications. A paired sample t-test was used to assess statistical differences between pre- and post-operative functional outcomes (VAS, SF-36, and FAAM) in the same group of both open and PASTA techniques while an independent t-test was used to compare functional outcomes (VAS, SF-36, and FAAM) between the two techniques. Results were significance at p < 0.05. Descriptive statistics were used for the demographic variables. Results: There were 56 patients (44 male and 12 female) with mean follow-up time was 17.7 months and 17.5 months for open and PASTA. The union time was significantly shorter in PASTA (9.4 vs 12.8 weeks, p<0.05). PASTA demonstrated significantly fasten recovery times (p<0.05 all) including time to return to ADL (8.4 vs 10.8 weeks), work (9.4 vs 12.8 weeks), and sports (9.4 vs 12.8 weeks). Both Open and PASTA techniques demonstrated significant improvement of all functional outcomes (FAAM, SF- 36, and VAS (p<0.01 all)); however, there was no significant difference between the two techniques. Other outcomes were not significant difference including tourniquet times (55.8 vs 67.2 minutes) and union rates (96.3 vs 100%) and complications. Conclusion: Both open and PASTA techniques demonstrated significant improvement of pain and function for treatment of patients with isolated subtalar joint arthritis. Although there was no significant difference of short-term of functional outcomes and complications, PASTA technique was better in term of shorten time to union and fasten time to return to sports.