The assistant medial approach in treatment of intraarticular fractures of calcaneus

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the assistant medial approach used in the surgical management of intraarticular fractures of calcaneus.Methods From January 2005 to December 2009,33 patients with intraarticular fracture of calcaneus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation through the expanded lateral L-shape approach and the assisted medial approach.They were 27 men and 6 women,aged from 18 to 62 years (average,36 years).There were 15 left sides and 18 right sides.According to Sanders' classification system,there were 27 patients with type Ⅲ displaced calcaneal fracture and 6 with type IV.Four cases were complicated with fracture of lumbar vertebra,one with pilon fracture and one with fracture of acetahulun.Fracture healing was observed and the Bǒhler and Gissane angles were measured.The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale system was used to evaluate the functional recovery.Results All patients were followed up postoperatively to assess their functional outcome.The follow-up duration was 6 to 24 months (mean,12 months).All incisions healed primarily and all fractures obtained bony union in an average of 8 weeks (from 6 to 24 months).All the Bǒhler and Gissane angles were corrected and AOFAS scores were improved.There were significant differences between preoperation and pestoperation in all indexes( P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion As the medial approach can be used to assist the expanded lateral L-shape approach in treatment of the intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus,the reduction and insertion of internal implants can be improved to achieve satisfactory functional outcome. Key words: Calcaneus; Fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Medial approach