Comparison of clinical and radiological outcomes between extended lateral and sinus tarsi approach in the surgical treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this stud was to compare the clinical and radiological results between Sinus-tarsi (ST) and Extended-Lateral (EL) approaches in open reduction internal fixation of intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
 Materials and Methods: 51 calcaneal fractures of 48 patients surgically treated between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups. Preoperative CT, early postoperative and postoperative 1st-year radiographs, and The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score scores were evaluated.
 Results: According to the Sanders classification, nine patients in the EL group were type 2(36%), 16 patients type 3 (64%), 8 patients in ST group type 234.8%), 13 patients (56.5%) type 3, 2 patients (8.7%) type 4. The mean AOFAS-Hindfoot score was 85(63-100) in the ST group and 83(52-93) in the LE group at one year. Mean preoperative waiting time was shorter, with an average of 2(1-4) days in ST and 6(3-12) days in LE. 
 Conclusion: ST approach shortens the preoperative waiting time in intra-articular calcaneal fracture surgery, provides a sufficient vision for anatomical restoration, and effectively avoids complications.

Does the postoperative quality of reduction, regardless of the surgical method used in treating a calcaneal fracture, influence patients’ functional outcomes?

“…Two surgical methods, namely the extensile lateral approach (ELA) and sinus tarsi approach (STA), are frequently employed to manage fractures of the calcaneus [ 11 ]. However, controversy remains regarding which technique offers the best outcomes [ 6 , 12 , 13 ]. The ELA is frequently utilized and provides superior visualization of the fracture site along with precise reduction and fixation capabilities.…”