Percutaneous Reduction and Fixation of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures

Abstract

Despite the relative prevalence of intra-articular calcaneal fractures, definitive management is controversial. The goal of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of percutaneous reduction and fixation of 20 patients with intraarticular calcaneal fractures Sanders type II, III or IV by k wires, Steinmann pins or cannulated screws subjectively and objectively over 8 months . Twenty-two ( 22) percutaneous fixation of calcaneal fractures in 20 patients were included in this study. This study included closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures type II , III and IV in adult patients and excluded open, extra-articular, type I fractures. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was used for evaluation. The excellent and good results were considered satisfactory while the poor and fair results were considered unsatisfactory. The results at the end of this study were satisfactory in 86.3% of patients (AOFAS score more than 75 in 19 fractures) and unsatisfactory in 13.6% of patients (AOFAS score less than 75 in 3 fractures). All patients included in this study showed normal range of motion of the ankle joint (active dorsiflexion and planter flexion) with variable decrease in the subtalar range of motion (active inversion and eversion) when compared with the normal side. .Percutaneous reduction and fixation had been found to be satisfactory in reduction of Böhler's angle, Gissane angle and Sarrafian angle with avoiding open reduction surgical and postoprtative complications and avoiding conservative management bad functional outcome.