Complications of intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus

The Effectiveness of Surgical Interventions in the Management of Malunited Calcaneal Fractures: A Systematic Review

Nonoperative management may result in calcaneal malunion with consequences of pain, deformity, and functional limitation. The aim of this review was to proffer an evidence-based scientific account of the effectiveness of contemporary surgical procedures in the management of malunited calcaneal fractures after initial conservative management. This systematic review included studies that evaluated the surgical procedures in the management of calcaneal malunion and systematically searched studies published between January 2005 and June 2016. The search was conducted using the following search engines: the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed/ MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, and Open Grey. Methodologic assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias In nonrandomized Studies- of Interventions assessment tool version 7. Ten observational studies (212 patients) were included in this review. Five articles explored various means of achieving subtalar arthrodesis, 2 articles evaluated joint-sparing osteotomies, 1 examined corrective osteotomy for extra-articular os calcis malunion, and 2 articles explored combined procedures based on the Stephen and Sanders calcaneal malunion classification. Clinical and methodologic heterogeneity did not allow quantitative pooling of results. The overall risk of bias was considered moderate in 7 studies and 3 were considered at high risk of bias. The inability for any study to be considered at low risk of bias in this review might be mainly attributed to the lack of a valid and reliable outcome measure for the assessment of foot and ankle conditions. There is clear evidence that appropriately indicated procedures are effective in terms of pain alleviation, correction of deformity, and improved function. However, long-term outcomes may improve the acceptability to joint-preserving osteotomies, subtalar arthrodesis with the VIRA implant and subtalar distraction osteogenesis.

Optimum Screw Configuration for the Fixation of Sanders Type IIC Tongue-Type Fractures? A Biomechanical Study

BACKGROUND

The minimally invasive technique (percutaneous screw fixation) is one of the options for treating tongue-type IIC fractures successfully. The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanics of four different screw configurations used for the fixation of tongue-type IIC calcaneal fractures.

METHODS

Identical osteotomies, recapitulating a type IIC injury, were created in synthetic calcaneus specimens using a saw. The specimens were randomly assigned to one of the four fixation groups (n = 7 per group): two divergent screws, two parallel screws, two parallel screws plus one screw axially oriented toward the sustentaculum tali, and three parallel screws. A load test was performed on all of the groups, and the specimens were then tested using offset axial loading until 2, 4, and 5 mm of fracture displacement occurred.

RESULTS

Mean force values for the three-parallel screw construct at 2-, 4-, and 5-mm fracture displacements were found to be significantly higher compared with those for the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a three-parallel screw construct seems to provide more stability in the treatment of tongue-type IIC fractures.

Internal and external fixation approaches to the surgical management of calcaneal fractures

Calcaneal fractures are one of the most difficult fractures to surgically manage and often require a steep learning curve to achieve consistent results. They usually occur in young individuals with labor intensive occupations and are associated with major complications. Conservative treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures with displacement often results in significant deformity, bone loss, and posttraumatic arthrosis. Optimally, an open approach is required in most cases to achieve anatomic reduction and successful long-term outcomes.

Surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture malunions and posttraumatic deformities

The surgical management of calcaneal fractures presents with several obstacles to the treating physician. Many experienced surgeons acknowledge a steep and significant learning curve in the operative management of calcaneal fractures. Nonoperative management of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures may result in malunion, thereby affecting the function of the ankle and subtalar joint. Although some calcaneal fractures can be treated conservatively, a majority of them require operative intervention. The goal of this article is to bring some insight into the realm of revisional surgery on residual deformity of the calcaneus after operative intervention and also provide a rationale approach to successfully manage failed surgeries for calcaneal fractures.