The Extensile Lateral Approach to the Calcaneus

Abstract

Accounting for 1% to 2% of all fractures, calcaneus fractures are the most common tarsal bone fracture. Although often managed nonoperatively, operative management is preferred for cases that involve significant displacement, joint height loss, and malalignment in patients with limited complication profiles. The extensile lateral approach has historically been a commonly utilized approach for the operative management of displaced calcaneus fractures. Although minimally invasive approaches, such as the sinus tarsi approach, have gained recent traction, they have inherent limitations that result in the extensile lateral approach being the preferable technique in certain cases. In this technique guide, we outline the surgical technique for calcaneus fracture repair using the extensile lateral approach and reported outcomes in the literature. Level of Evidence: Level 5.