Operative treatment of calcaneal fractures: improved outcomes and low complications rates with a strict management protocol

Calcaneus fractures, epidemiology and treatment - Data on 3 949 fractures from the Swedish Fracture Register

BACKGROUND

Due to changing population demographics and evolving treatment strategies updated epidemiological data are needed. This study aims to provide nationwide epidemiology data regarding calcaneus fractures of all types and treatment.

METHODS

The study is based on data from the Swedish Fracture Register and include patients ≥ 18 with a calcaneus fracture sustained between April 2012 and June 2022. Patient characteristics, injury mechanism, fracture classification and primary treatment were analysed. With access to data on each separate fracture, all bilateral fractures, n = 320, could be identified and were studied in a separate analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 3629 unilateral calcaneus fractures in 3618 patients. The mean age was 48 years (SD ± 18) and 2178 (60 %) were men. Fall from height was the most common mechanism of injury (n = 1683; 46 %) and high-energy trauma was documented in 887(28 %) patients. Overall, AO/OTA type A fractures (avulsion), and type C fractures (intra-articular) was equally common, but the type C fracture was the most common fracture type in men. The vast majority of type A (n = 1105; 89 %) and B (n = 717; 93 %) fractures were treated non-surgically, while surgical treatment was more common in type C (n = 499; 43 %) fractures. Fracture fixation with plate and screws was the most common surgical method. Arthrodesis as a primary treatment was rarely used. Of the patients with bilateral fractures 80 % were male, (n = 128). They were generally younger (mean age of 38 years (SD±14.5, p < 0001) and had a larger proportion of high-energy traumas, n = 107 (67 %) compared with patients with unilateral fractures.

CONCLUSION

Calcaneus fractures occur most frequently in the middle-aged population, and the majority of patients are male. The difference in prevalence between men and women is less pronounced than previous studies have shown. In male patients the fractures were more severe, more often caused by high-energy trauma, and more frequently treated surgically.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective observational cohort study.

The sural nerve & the calcaneus: A radiographic and anatomical study

BACKGROUND

The sinus tarsi approach (STA) is a commonly used minimally invasive surgical approach for the fixation of joint depression-type calcaneus fractures. As the sural nerve (SN) is particularly at risk during the STA, understanding the SN's course in relation to bony landmarks on fluoroscopic imaging is crucial.

METHODS

Dissection of 19 post-mortem humans were performed to expose the SN. The SN's course was mapped relative to radiographic bony landmarks, anatomical plates for fracture fixation, and the STA incision location.

RESULTS

The SN typically enters the cranial part of the calcaneus midway between the posterior talocalcaneal (PTC) joint and the calcaneal tuberosity. The posterior tail of the calcaneal plates were always placed under the main branch of the SN.

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted that the SN is always at risk during minimally invasive plate fixation for calcaneal fractures. Intra-operative fluoroscopy could be beneficial for minimizing nerve damage and enhancing surgical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Talus-derived reference coordinate system for 3D calcaneal assessment: A novel approach to improve morphological measurements

In 3D-analysis of the calcaneus, a consistent coordinate system aligned with the original anatomical directions is crucial for pre- and postoperative analysis. This importance stems from the calcaneus's key role in weight-bearing and biomechanical alignment. However, defining a reliable coordinate system based solely on fractured or surgically reconstructed calcanei presents significant challenges. Given its anatomical prominence and consistent orientation, the talus offers a potential solution to this challenge. Our work explores the feasibility of talus-derived coordinate systems for 3D-modeling of the calcaneus across its various conditions. Four methods were tested on nonfractured, fractured and surgically reconstructed calcanei, utilizing Principal Component Analysis, anatomical landmarks, bounding box, and an atlas-based approach. The methods were compared with a self-defined calcaneus reference coordinate system. Additionally, the impact of deviation of the coordinate system on morphological measurements was investigated. Among methods for constructing nonfractured calcanei coordinate systems, the atlas-based method displayed the lowest Root Mean Square value in comparison with the reference coordinate system. For morphological measures like Böhler's Angle and the Critical angle of Gissane, the atlas talus-based system closely aligned with ground truth, yielding differences of 0.6° and 1.2°, respectively, compared to larger deviations seen in other talus-based coordinate systems. In conclusion, all tested methods were feasible for creating a talus derived coordinate system. A talus derived coordinate system showed potential, offering benefits for morphological measurements and clinical scenarios involving fractured and surgically reconstructed calcanei. Further research is recommended to assess the impact of these coordinate systems on surgical planning and outcomes.

Consequences of extensile lateral approach to the calcaneal fractures on balance and isokinetic strength of muscle groups crossing the ankle joint

BACKGROUND

Inherent characteristics of extensile lateral approach (ELA) for fixation of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures together with delayed or probably insufficient physical therapy programs may lead to weakness of the muscle groups crossing the ankle joint. Peroneal tendons might be involved more than others because of possible postoperative adhesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the isokinetic strength of the muscle groups crossing the ankle joint and also to assess balance and functional ability in this group of patients.

METHODS

Based on a pilot study, 23 patients undergone open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) via ELA and 22 healthy subjects as the control group participated in this observational cross-sectional study. Patients more than 20 years of age with at least 12 months passed their unilateral closed intraarticular calcaneal fracture fixation without any postoperative complications like infection or wound dehiscence were included. Patients with history of concomitant lower extremity injury, spine trauma or surgery, cases underwent removal of calcaneal plates, and cases with neuromuscular or vestibular dysfunction were excluded. The outcome was assessed by isokinetic parameters such as peak torque, peak torque normalized to body weight, mean power and total work modified star excursion balance test, triple hop for distance test, and evertor-to-invertor (E/I) strength ratio. Isokinetic tests were performed at 60 and 120°/s.

RESULTS

Greater strength was observed in all muscles in the control group at 60°/s (p < 0.05). Evertors and invertors were weaker in the operated group at 120°/s in comparison to the dorsiflexors and plantarflexors. Modified star excursion (p: 0.003) and triple hop tests (p: 0.001) were lower in the operated group. E/I ratio was not statistically significant between the two groups at 60°/s (p: 0.44) and 120°/s (p: 0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Strength deficit in all muscle groups crossing the ankle joint, and not evertors in isolation, in addition to balance and functional impairments would be seen one year following ORIF of calcaneal fracture via ELA. A long-term rehabilitation program emphasizing different kinds of contraction at low and high speeds and balance training in these patients is highly recommended.

Efficacy of Sinus Tarsal Approach Compared With Conventional L-Shaped Lateral Approach in the Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures: A Meta-Analysis

Background: This study aims to compare the efficacy of the sinus tarsal approach (STA) with that of the conventional L-shaped lateral approach (CLSLA) in the treatment of calcaneal fractures by meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Wanfang database were searched to collect clinical randomized or non-randomized controlled trials of STA and CLSLA in the treatment of calcaneal fractures from January 2010 to May 2020. The data were analyzed by Stata 15.0 software.

Results: A total of 12 clinical trials were included, all of which were retrospective studies, including 961 patients. The results showed that when STA was compared with CLSLA, there was no difference in operation time with mean difference (MD) = −5.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): −12.57 to 1.55, P > 0.05], less bleeding during operation with MD = −18.49 (95% CI:−23.79 to −13.18), no difference in Böhler angle after an operation with MD = 0.78 (95% CI: −0.09 to 1.65) and in Gissane angle with MD = −0.07 (95% CI: −1.90 to 1.77), no difference in American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score with MD = 2.16 (95% CI: −1.07 to 5.38), higher-excellent and better rate of Maryland food function with relative ratio = 1.12 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.20), and lower of incidence of postoperative complications with relative ratio = 0.23 (95% CI: 0.14–0.37).

Conclusion: STA was more effective than CLSLA in the treatment of calcaneal fractures. Moreover, STA had advantages in less intraoperative bleeding, higher-excellent and better rate of Maryland foot function, lower incidence of postoperative complications, and higher safety.

[Outcome after surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures]

BACKGROUND

After controversial discussions in the literature about therapy regimens for calcaneal fractures, a retrospective study of patients operatively treated in a maximum care trauma center was conducted.

OBJECTIVE

Investigation of the influencing factors on the treatment quality of operatively treated patients with calcaneal fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2013 a total of 90 patients with calcaneal fractures were surgically treated in this hospital with locking plate osteosynthesis. A total of 48 patients with 55 fractures were retrospectively investigated. The assessment with respect to posttraumatic arthrosis was made radiologically and Böhler's and Gissane's angles were also determined. Clinically AOFAS and SF-36 scores were documented. The results were statistically tested with respect to possible risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 9 patients (18.8%) were found with complications necessitating operative revision, with 8 patients requiring subtalar arthrodesis and 1 patient with a deep wound infection. Nicotine abuse and a long interval between trauma and reconstructive surgery were identified as factors that influenced the development of wound healing problems. The average AOFAS score was 68 points and the SF-36 was 58.86 points. A poor result in the scores was caused by the development of symptomatic arthritis and the type of insurance. In this cohort factors, such as age and complexity of fractures were not correlated with a poor result.

CONCLUSION

In this patient collective nicotine abuse and a long interval between trauma and surgery were risk factors for development of wound infections. Other factors with an influence on the outcome were the postoperative development of arthritis and the type of health insurance; however, patient age had no impact on the outcome.