Explore the vast range of titles available.

Aims Which is the best extensile lateral (ELA) or sinus tarsi (STA) approach for osteosynthesis displaced intraarticular calcaneal fracture (DIACF) is still debatable. The current RCT’s primary objective was to compare the complications incidence after open reduction and internal fixation of DIACFs through STA vs. ELA. The secondary objectives were the differences in intraoperative radiation exposure, time to fracture union, functional and radiological outcomes. Methods Between August 2020 and February 2023, 157 patients with Sanders type II and III fractures were randomly assigned to either ELA (81 patients with 95 fractures) or STA (76 patients with 91 fractures). The primary outcome was the incidence of complications. The secondary outcomes were Böhler’s and Gissane angles angle, fracture union, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Results No statistical differences between both groups regarding basic demographic data, injury characteristics, and fracture classification; however, patients in the STA group were operated upon significantly earlier (4.43 ± 7.37 vs. 7 ± 6.42 days, p  = 0.001). STA’s operative time was significantly shorter (55.83 ± 7.35 vs. 89.66 ± 7.12 min, p  < 0.05), and no statistical difference regarding intraoperative radiation exposure. The time to fracture union was significantly shorter in STA (6.33 ± 0.8 vs. 7.13 ± 0.7 weeks, p  = 0.000). Skin complications (superficial or deep infection) and Subtalar osteoarthritis were significantly higher in ELA (18.9% vs. 3.3%, p  = 0.001) and (32.6% vs. 9.9%, p  = 0.001), respectively. The radiological parameters were significantly better in STA postoperatively and at the last follow up. The AOFAS scores were significantly better in STA (83.49 ± 7.71 vs. 68.62 ± 7.05, respectively, p  = 0.000). Conclusion During osteosynthesis of Sanders type II and III DIACFs, STA is superior to ELA in terms of operating earlier, shorter operative time, fewer complications, and better radiological and functional outcomes.

Background Following successful treatment, displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) necessitate an extensive rehabilitation regimen, significantly influencing functional and socio-economic outcomes. Apart from surgical intervention, the implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitation protocol is crucial to optimize foot stability and functional recovery. The objective of this study is to ascertain the optimal rehabilitation protocol for patients with surgically treated DIACFs, either permissive weight bearing (PWB) or Restricted Weight Bearing, focusing on functional outcomes, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), radiographic parameters, cost-effectiveness, and incidence of complications. Methods Study design: A prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. Study population: Presence of surgically (extended lateral, sinus tarsi, or percutaneous approach) treated unilateral DIACFs (Sanders type II to IV), aged 18–67 years (labor force). Patients must be able to understand and follow weight bearing instructions. N = 115 patients with DIACFs will be included. Interventions: Patients with DIACFs will be randomly allocated to one of the rehabilitation protocols, either PWB or RWB. Primary outcome measure: Functional outcome, measured with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS)). Secondary outcomes: Functional outcome (Maryland Foot Score, MFS), HRQoL (EuroQol-5D, EQ-5D), differences in radiographic parameters, cost-effectiveness, and complications. Nature and extent of burden: The PWB protocol is aimed to be non-inferior to the RWB protocol. Previous analysis of this protocol in other lower extremity fractures has shown a safe complication rate. Follow-up is standardized according to current trauma guidelines, namely at time points 2, 6, 12 weeks, and 6 months. The radiation exposure for both groups will differ from standard care (one extra CT scan of the foot will be made). Therefore, the burden for participants is considered minimal, with no significant health risks. Discussion This study will be the first study to define an optimal rehabilitation regime for surgically treated patients with DIACFs. The limitations of this study include the absence of patient blinding, as this is impossible in rehabilitation. Additionally, the primary outcome measure (AOFAS) has limited validity for DIACFs. However, it is the most commonly used questionnaire in the literature on DIACFs. There is an apparent need since current literature is lacking on this specific topic. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05721378, accepted on February 7, 2023.

Background Calcaneal fractures are the most common type of tarsal fractures. The sustentaculum tali (ST) offers anatomical stability in calcaneal fractures, and recently, ST screws have been widely used in their treatment. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and value of ST screw fixation via a modified sinus tarsi approach (MSTA) for treating displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs). Methods This study enrolled 64 patients (64 feet): 32 patients in the calcaneal locking plate combined with the ST screw group (CLP-STS Group) and 32 patients in the simple calcaneal locking plate internal fixation group (CLP Group). The minimum follow-up duration was 18 months. Ankle function was evaluated using VAS, AOFAS, and Short Form-36 scores. Imaging evaluation included the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, length, height, and width of the calcaneus, and the Böhler angle in both groups 1 year after surgery. Results Functional evaluation revealed that postoperative AOFAS and VAS scores in the CLP-STS Group were significantly better than those in the CLP Group. After surgery, the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and length, height, and width of the calcaneus were significantly corrected compared to the preoperative values; however, the difference in these indicators between the two groups was not significant. Nevertheless, at the 1-year postoperative follow-up, the calcaneal Böhler angle loss in the CLP-STS Group was significantly better than that in the CLP Group. Conclusion Compared to simple calcaneal locking plate internal fixation, combining the plate with the additionally free ST screw can resolve the limited intraoperative exposure of MSTA, reduce postoperative foot pain in patients, and improve clinical efficacy.

The sinus tarsi approach has gained popularity for treating calcaneal fractures; however, limited research exists on the learning curve among novice orthopedic surgeons. This study aimed to assess the learning curve of junior orthopedic surgeons who have recently completed their fellowship, focusing on surgical efficiency and clinical outcomes. From October 2022 to January 2024, 50 cases of calcaneal fractures (12 Sanders type 2, 23 type 3, and 15 type 4) were treated using the sinus tarsi approach at a single Level 1 trauma center. The cumulative sum test was employed to identify case cutoffs for key surgical parameters. Pre- and postoperative X-rays and computed tomography (CT) were analyzed to measure the Bohler angle, hindfoot varus angle, and posterior facet step-off. Operative time, intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy use, and postoperative complications, including infections and revision surgeries, were also evaluated. Significant postoperative improvements were observed: the Bohler angle increased from 12.2° to 26.3°, hindfoot varus angle decreased from 15.2° to 5.3°, and posterior facet step-off was reduced from 14.1 mm to 0.56 mm. Consistent correction of the Bohler angle and hindfoot varus angle was achieved after 21 cases, while posterior facet step-off correction reached proficiency after 26 cases. Reduction quality was classified as Excellent ( n  = 24), Good ( n  = 13), Fair ( n  = 8), and Poor ( n  = 5), with Excellent or Good outcomes achieved consistently after 21 cases. The mean operative time was 104 min, decreasing from 124.2 min to 85.2 min after 24 cases. The average number of fluoroscopy shots was 141, decreasing from 206.4 in the first 19 cases to 95.1 thereafter. Complications included six revision surgeries, one infection, four cases of insufficient posterior facet correction, and one case of screw penetration. Novice foot and ankle surgeons can achieve surgical proficiency in the sinus tarsi approach for calcaneal fracture fixation after approximately 20 to 26 cases. This learning curve was reflected by improved operative efficiency, reduced fluoroscopy use, and consistent radiographic correction of the Bohler angle, hindfoot varus angle, and posterior facet step-off.

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the preoperative and postoperative psychological health status of patients with calcaneal fractures, and to explore the impact of preoperative psychological health status on the prognosis of surgical treatment for calcaneal fracture patients. Methods This study included 67 patients with calcaneal fractures who underwent surgical treatment in the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department of Honghui Hospital in Xi’an from November 2019 to September 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of preoperative anxiety/depression symptoms, with patients exhibiting preoperative anxiety/depression symptoms assigned to Group A and those without such symptoms assigned to Group B. Preoperative and final follow-up assessments were conducted using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score to evaluate patients. Results Among the 67 patients with complete follow-up for calcaneal fractures, 33 patients exhibited preoperative anxiety/depression symptoms (49.25%). Both Group A and Group B patients showed significant improvements in various evaluation indicators after calcaneal fracture surgery compared to preoperative assessments, but the overall prognosis of Group A was worse than that of Group B. Conclusions The preoperative psychological health status of patients is related to postoperative clinical outcomes, and patients with poorer psychological health have a worse prognosis.

Background This randomized controlled trial compared the clinical outcomes and complications of a novel minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) with those of conventional treatment via an extended L-shaped lateral approach for calcaneal fractures. Methods Sixty-four patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either MIPO (29 patients) or open reduction and internal fixation via an extended L-shaped lateral approach (35 patients). The same calcaneal plate (AO Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland) was used in both groups. The primary clinical outcomes included operative time, VAS postoperatively, and wound healing complications. Secondary clinical outcomes included time to operation, length of incision, postoperative drainage, length of hospital stay, medical expense, AOFAS score, and SF-36 score. Preoperative and postoperative calcaneal height, width, and length, Bohler’s angle, and Gissane’s angle were compared. Results The operative time in the MIPO group was 52.5 ± 11.1 min, which was significantly shorter than 82.8 ± 16.2 min in the conventional treatment group ( P  < 0.001). One week postoperatively, the VAS value was 3.2 ± 1.4 in the MIPO group, which was lower than that in the conventional treatment group, 3.9 ± 1.3 ( P  = 0.038). In the conventional treatment group, 13 of 35 fractures (37.1%) had wound healing problems, whereas this issue occurred in only 2 of 29 fractures (6.7%) in the MIPO group ( P  = 0.004). In the MIPO group, deep and superficial infections occurred in none of the cases and 1 of 29 (3.4%) patients, respectively. Length of incision in the MIPO group was shorter than that in the conventional treatment group (4.2 ± 0.6 vs. 10.9 ± 1.5 cm; P  < 0.001). Hospital stay was 9.7 ± 2.8 days in the MIPO group and 11.7 ± 2.6 days in the conventional treatment group ( P  = 0.004). At the last follow-up, the SF-36 scores and AOFAS scores in the two groups were comparable ( P  > 0.05). The postoperative radiographic data, the Bohler’s angle, Gissane’s angle, and calcaneal height, width, and length in the two groups were comparable ( P  > 0.05). Conclusions Compared with conventional ORIF, the advantages of MIPO are a considerably shortened operating time and hospital stay, decreased postoperative pain, and reduced risk of wound healing complications.

Background Plates and screws are frequently used for the fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneus fracture (DIACF). In this study, we compared the outcomes of a modified screw fixation technique with plate fixation via a sinus tarsi approach (STA). Methods A series of 187 DIACF patients who were treated via an STA using a plate fixation ( n  = 81) or a screw fixation ( n  = 106) were included. Screw fixation was done with two 2.7 mm screws and two 6.5 mm cannulated screws. Outcomes were evaluated radiographically and clinically. Clinical evaluations included pain assessment by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and functional assessment by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) questionnaire and Foot Function Index (FFI). Results The mean final VAS was smaller in the screw group ( P  = 0.01). The mean AOFAS and FFI scores were not significantly different between the two groups ( P  = 0.17 and P  = 0. 19, respectively). The mean improvement of Bohler’s angle, but not the Gissane’s angle, was significantly greater in the screw group ( P  = 0.014 and P  = 0.09, respectively). The mean improvement of calcaneal length and height were not significantly different between the two groups ( P  = 0.78 and P  = 0.22, respectively). The hardware removal rate was 14.8% in the plate group and 3.8% in the screw group ( P  = 0.007). Conclusion The modified screw fixation method provides lower pain, better radiographic outcome, and lower rate of hardware removal compared to plate fixation in the treatment of DIACF.

Background The management of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remains challenging and controversial. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare percutaneous reduction, cannulated screw fixation and calcium sulfate cement (PR+CSC) grafting with minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach and plate fixation (MISTA) for treatment of DIACFs. Methods Ultimately, 80 patients with a DIACFs were randomly allocated to receive either PR+CSC ( N  = 42) or MISTA ( N  = 38). Functional outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores. Radiological results were assessed using plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans, and postoperative wound-related complications were also recorded. Results The average time from initial injury to operation and the average operation time in the PR+CSC group were both significantly shorter than those in the MISTA group ( p  < 0.05). There were significantly fewer complications in the PR+CSC group than those in the MISTA group (7.1 % vs 28.9 %, p  < 0.001). The calcaneal width immediate postoperatively and at the final follow-up in the MISTA group were obviously improved compared to those in the PR+CSC group ( p  < 0.001). The variables of sagittal motion and hindfoot motion of the AOFAS scoring system in the PR+CSC group were significantly higher than those in the MISTA group ( p  < 0.05). The good and excellent results in the two groups were comparable for Sanders Type-II calcaneal fractures, but the good to excellent rate in the MISTA group was significantly higher for Sanders Type-III fractures ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion The clinical outcomes are comparable between the two minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of Sanders Type-II DIACFs. The PR+CSC grafting is superior to the MISTA in terms of the average time between initial injury and operation, operation time, wound-related complications and subtalar joint activity. However, the MISTA has its own advantages in improving the calcaneal width, providing a more clear visualization and accurate reduction of the articular surface, especially for Sanders Type-III DIACFs. Trial registration ChiCTRIOR16008512 . 21 May 2016.

Background There are no standardized therapy guidelines for rehabilitation of calcaneus fractures. While there is consensus on non or partial weight-bearing, the use of supporting devices such as specific foot ankle orthosis is still a matter of debate. Recently, a heel-unloading orthosis (“Settner shoe”) was introduced for aftercare of these fractures, allowing walking by shifting the load to the middle-foot and forefoot. This orthosis enables early mobilization of patients suffering from either one-sided or two-sided fractures. The Settner shoe can be applied in non-operative therapy and after surgery. Specifically in calcaneus fractures, early regain of physical activity has been highlighted as one of the key factors for quality of life and the ability to return to work. Thus, we hypothesize that mobilization with the Settner shoe results in improved quality of life and greater physical activity within the first 3 months. Methods This is going to be analyzed by a randomized controlled study comparing treatment with and without this specific orthosis. The secondary outcome measure is the time point of return to work in patients aged between 18 and 60 years, with calcaneus fracture. Furthermore, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, a 3-dimensional gait analysis, and the Euroqol-5 dimension-3 level (EQ-5D-3 L) questionnaire for quality of life are assessed. Discussion This is the first trial applying a standardized rehabilitation protocol in patients with calcaneus fractures, aiming to improve the non-operative part of treatment by use of an orthosis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03572816 . Registered on 27 July 2018.

Background The sustentaculum tali (ST) plays an important role in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture. However, there is a lack of relevant literature report on the true extent of the distance process. The introduction of the ‘space shape of the trabeculae within the calcaneus allowed the ST range to be defined with reference to the trabecula topographic trend. Here, we investigated the biomechanical properties of two common ST screws after implantation by applying the finite element method (FEM). Methods Dicom imaging data of the calcaneus ST was obtained by computed tomography (CT)scanning techniques and a spatial three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system was established to measure the extent of the ST. The continuation range was identified according to the trend of the trabecula bone and then superimposed to form a new ST range. Next, by structural design and FEM, we performed biomechanical tests on the two type of ST screws: the ‘pressure type (transverse group)’ test for vertical fracture lines and the ‘tension type (oblique group) of the center’ test. Results Based on space shape of the trabeculae within the calcaneus, the spatial extent of the ST was redefined. According to FEM calculations, the load bearing capacity of the transverse group was better than that of the oblique group by 15.15% when the screws were implanted in the peak area. Furthermore, the load bearing capacity of the oblique group was better than that of the transverse group by 14.13% and 5.59% when the screws were implanted in the lumbar and valley regions. Conclusions Based on the space shape of the trabeculae within the calcaneus, the range of the ST is expanded. The best mechanical properties of two different screws were implanted in the peak area. The load-bearing capacity gradually reduced when implanted in the lumbar and valley regions. However, the waist area and valley area can still meet the requirements for structural strength and stability, and also provide a good fixation effect. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.