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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.

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 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.

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 Chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI), frequently resulting from ankle sprains, is often associated with undiagnosed hindfoot varus deformities, specifically subtle cavus foot (SCF). While ligament reconstruction remains the standard treatment for CLAI with SCF, there is ongoing debate regarding the need for adjunctive calcaneal osteotomy to correct the underlying malalignment. Our study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and necessity of minimally invasive calcaneal osteotomy combined with arthroscopic modified Broström procedure in patients with CLAI with SCF. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of 102 patients with CLAI and SCF was conducted from November 2016 to November 2022. Patients undergoing arthroscopic modified Broström procedure were assigned to the control group, while those receiving arthroscopic modified Broström procedure with minimally invasive calcaneal osteotomy were placed in the experimental group. General data and complications were documented. Preoperative and postoperative imaging included calcaneal pitch angle, Meary’s angle, arch height, and calcaneus valgus angle. Clinical outcomes were measured using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results A total of 81 patients with 2-year follow-up were included, with 46 in the experimental group and 35 in the control group. Significant differences in imaging indicators were observed in the experimental group at all follow-up points ( P < 0.001), while no significant changes were noted in the control group ( P > 0.05). Both groups demonstrated improvements in AOFAS and VAS scores ( P < 0.001), with differences between 3- and 24-month follow-up ( P < 0.001). Significant differences in imaging indicators and AOFAS scores were found between groups at both follow-up intervals ( P < 0.01). The complication rate was 6.52% in the experimental group and 11.43% in the control group. Conclusions For patients with CLAI with SCF, arthroscopic modified Broström procedure with minimally invasive calcaneal osteotomy is an effective treatment that minimizes bone and soft tissue damage. Our study suggests that it is necessary to correct hindfoot alignment while stabilizing the ankle joint to enhance function and reduce recurrence of chronic ankle instability. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study

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 Posttraumatic osteoarthritis can develop after an intra-articular extremity fracture, leading to pain and loss of function. According to international guidelines, anatomical reduction and fixation are the basis for an optimal functional result. In order to achieve this during fracture surgery, an optimal view on the position of the bone fragments and fixation material is a necessity. The currently used 2D-fluoroscopy does not provide sufficient insight, in particular in cases with complex anatomy or subtle injury, and even an 18-26% suboptimal fracture reduction is reported for the ankle and foot. More intra-operative information is therefore needed. Recently the 3D-RX-system was developed, which provides conventional 2D-fluoroscopic images as well as a 3D-reconstruction of bony structures. This modality provides more information, which consequently leads to extra corrections in 18-30% of the fracture operations. However, the effect of the extra corrections on the quality of the anatomical fracture reduction and fixation as well as on patient relevant outcomes has never been investigated. The objective of this study protocol is to investigate the effectiveness of the intra-operative use of the 3D-RX-system as compared to the conventional 2D-fluoroscopy in patients with traumatic intra-articular fractures of the wrist, ankle and calcaneus. The effectiveness will be assessed in two different areas: 1) the quality of fracture reduction and fixation, based on the current golden standard, Computed Tomography. 2) The patient-relevant outcomes like functional outcome range of motion and pain. In addition, the diagnostic accuracy of the 3D-RX-scan will be determined in a clinical setting and a cost-effectiveness as well as a cost-utility analysis will be performed. Methods/design In this protocol for an international multicenter randomized clinical trial, adult patients (age > 17 years) with a traumatic intra-articular fracture of the wrist, ankle or calcaneus eligible for surgery will be subjected to additional intra-operative 3D-RX. In half of the patients the surgeon will be blinded to these results, in the other half the surgeon may use the 3D-RX results to further optimize fracture reduction. In both randomization groups a CT-scan will be performed postoperatively. Based on these CT-scans the quality of fracture reduction and fixation will be determined. During the follow-up visits after hospital discharge at 6 and 12 weeks and 1 year postoperatively the patient relevant outcomes will be determined by joint specific, health economic and quality of life questionnaires. In addition a follow up study will be performed to determine the patient relevant outcomes and prevalence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis at 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Discussion The results of the study will provide more information on the effectiveness of the intra-operative use of 3D-imaging during surgical treatment of intra-articular fractures of the wrist, ankle and calcaneus. A randomized design in which patients will be allocated to a treatment arm during surgery will be used because of its high methodological quality and the ability to detect incongruences in the reduction and/or fixation that occur intra-operatively in the blinded arm of the 3D-RX. An alternative, pragmatic design could be to randomize before the start of the surgery, then two surgical strategies would be compared. This resembles clinical practice better, but introduces more bias and does not allow the assessment of incongruences that would have been detected by 3D-RX in the blinded arm. Trial registration Dutch Trial Register NTR 1902

This study was aimed to compare the outcomes of two operational methods used for the fixation of calcaneal fracture, the open reduction using a plate and the minimally invasive cannulated screw fixations. Thus, we attempted to find out as to which of these fixation regimens was therapeutically superior by assessing improvement in the restoration of foot functioning and estimating the biochemical indices that reflect bone recovery. A total of 492 calcaneal fracture patients admitted in our hospital from February, 2008 to February, 2012 were selected for the study and randomly divided into two groups of 246 cases each. They were treated with either open reduction using a plate or minimally invasive cannulated screw fixation procedures. After the operations, patients were followed up for 2 years and the outcomes including functional restoration of calcaneus, the post-operational complications, and measure of the biochemical indicators of bone recovery were compared. The patients who underwent plate fixation procedure showed the excellent and good rate of 76.8 %. The minimally invasive cannulated screw fixation led to the excellent and good rate of 82.5 %. The angle, width, and height of calcaneus observed in the last follow-up were also improved significantly in the two groups ( p  < 0.05); however, these outcomes of the two techniques were not significantly different from each other ( p  > 0.05). The post-operative complications occurred with the rates of 14.2 and 4.9 % in the patients treated with the plate and the minimally invasive cannulated screw fixations, respectively. The length of stay and hospitalization costs in the plate fixation group were 9.16 ± 0.83 days and 12,639.74 ± 2,573.82 Chinese Yuan, respectively. In comparison, in cannulated screw fixation group, the length of hospital stay (7.03 ± 0.52 days) and its cost (6,795.01 ± 996.53 Chinese Yuan) were significantly lower. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b levels measured at the last follow-up examination were significantly altered ( p  < 0.05) in the two groups. However, the difference between the outcomes of the two methods was not statistically significant ( p  > 0.05). Plate screw and the cannulated screw fixations showed equally good therapeutic effect and significantly improved patients’ mobility. However, the cannulated screw fixation was superior in terms of post-operative infection-free recovery and economical burden to the patients.

Purpose. To compare the outcome following lateral plantar nerve release with or without calcaneal drilling for resistant plantar fasciitis. Methods. 30 women and 3 men aged 30 to 60 (mean, 45) years with resistant plantar fasciitis were randomised to undergo release of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve with (group 1, n=18) or without (group 2, n=15) calcaneal drilling. Results. Patients were followed up for a mean of 27 months. According to the modified Mayo scoring system for plantar fasciotomy, group 1 was superior to group 2 in terms of score (93.9±6.97 vs. 83±8.2, p<0.001) and grading (15 excellent, 2 good, and one fair vs. 6 excellent, 4 good, and 5 fair; p=0.031). Three patients in group one and one patient in group 2 (16.7% vs. 6.6%, p=0.381) developed complications of heel numbness, foot oedema, and 2 cases of superficial wound infection, respectively. Conclusion. Adding calcaneal drilling to release of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve achieves better outcome than release alone in patients with resistant plantar fasciitis.