Evidence-Based Rationale for Percutaneous Fixation Technique of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes

Displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus are complex and have a high degree of morbidity. Percutaneous fixation techniques have been advocated in an effort to minimize postoperative complications. We performed a systematic review of the clinical outcomes to describe and ascertain the different techniques and clinical outcomes for percutaneous treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. A review was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar, from January 2000 to December 2012, with studies ranging from case reports to prospective studies. The inclusion criteria consisted of percutaneous fixation techniques with objective findings (Sander's classification and Bohler's angle measurements) and clinical outcome scoring and complication and subtalar fusion rates. The exclusion criteria included studies with open or limited open procedures, the use of external fixation, the use of bone substitutes alone, and pathologic or open fractures. Data and evidence with a combination of objective findings and clinical outcomes are lacking. Several techniques for percutaneous fixation have been described, including Schanz pins and Kirschner wires, cannulated screws, arthroscopically guided percutaneous fixation, and application of bone substitute. A myriad of techniques are available for percutaneous intra-articular calcaneal fixation. The results from the current data appear to be promising; however, the lack of statistical power and inconsistent documentation have made it difficult to determine any superiority. The complication rates were much lower than those with open procedures, regardless of the technique. The percutaneous fixation technique appears to be a favorable option for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.     

The role of calcaneal osteotomies for correction of adult flatfoot

The surgical treatment of flatfoot deformity has evolved during the past three decades. Soft tissue procedures alone fail to reestablish anatomic bony alignment, and bony procedures alone fail to provide dynamic support to the arch. The goal of any procedure is to reestablish the inherently stable bony configuration with adequate soft tissue balance (tendon transfer) to maintain stability in the dynamic situation. Therefore, a combination of procedures, such as soft tissue procedures combined with calcaneal displacement osteotomies and/or lateral column lengthening, may provide optimal results. The focus of this review is the role of bony correction in the treatment of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity.     

Calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

The surgical treatment of PTTD has been well-discussed in the literature. The calcaneal displacement osteotomy is a powerful, yet relatively easy, procedure that accomplishes a significant amount of frontal plane correction in the surgical treatment of PTTD. It can be performed as a straight medialization osteotomy for moderate hindfoot valgus, and must be performed with a resectional wedge in the treatment of large valgus angles. To achieve optimal correction, it must be coupled with procedures that address the triplanar nature of the deformity. When used in combination with other reconstructive procedures, it provides a valuable alternative to other more joint-destructive procedures.     

Distal calcaneal osteotomy in resistant talipes equinovarus

In resistant talipes equinovarus deformity, posterior medial release alone may be inadequate. Procedures involving the lateral column are sometimes necessary. Thirty-nine patients were treated by a distal calcaneal osteotomy and plantar fasciotomy. Good results were obtained in 30 of 39 patients; two had fair results and seven of 39 had poor results. Of the lateral column procedures, distal calcaneal osteotomy avoids the articular surfaces and provides for easier rotational positioning and correction of the forefoot. Older patients who have had multiple operations and, potentially, more severe pathology do not do well with this procedure. Preoperative evaluation of certain radiographic parameters is important in patient selection for these procedures.     

Osteotomies in the midfoot and the calcaneal part of the foot in relapsed clubfoot

There are no clear guidelines on the treatment of relapsed clubfoot, which is a relatively frequent and difficult problem in paediatric orthopaedics. Numerous operative interventions are mentioned in the literature as suitable for correction of a residual deformity of the food. There are numerous soft tissue procedures (release operations, tendon extensions, tendon transfers and redressement by means of a fixateur externe) and osseous interventions (osteotomies, arthrodeses) that can be carried out in isolation or in combination. In the present article two types of osteotomy are described that make it possible to correct the most frequent forms of relapsed clubfoot: combined closing wedge cuboid and opening wedge cuneiform osteotomy for correction of adductus and supination of the forefoot and the calcaneal osteotomy after Dwyer for correction of varus position of the calcaneal part of the foot. The combined osteotomy in the midfoot involves shortening of the lateral ray with simultaneous lengthening of the medial ray, with the wedge out of the cuboid bone inserted into the medial cuneiform bone, which leads mainly to correction of the adductus, but does also make it possible to achieve partial correction of the supination with an osteotomy right through the cuneiform bone. In the case of rigid foot deformities it is advisable to carry out preliminary stretching by means of a fixateur externe, while in the case of a bean-shaped foot a combination of osteotomy and medial and lateral release is recommended. Results of a follow-up study of our own patients treated with this operation have shown that no revision operations were necessary in any of the patients with idiopathic clubfoot. Other types of osteotomy described in the literature as suitable for correction of residual forefoot adductus and supination are also mentioned in this paper. Thecalcaneal osteotomy after Dwyer, for which a lateral approach is always used, generally leads to satisfactory correction of varus position of the calcaneal part of the foot. It the calcaneus is found to have a short posterior part this osteotomy is modified so that instead of taking the form of a wedge osteotomy with lateral closing it is followed by a lateral displacement. In this way it is possible to prevent making the already short posterior calcaneus even shorter. Both the combined midfoot osteotomy and the calcaneal osteotomy after Dwyer can be performed alone or in combination with each other or with different operative interventions.     

Medial arch strain after medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy: an in vitro study

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction with concomitant progressive flatfoot deformity is associated with ligamentous failure along the medial arch. Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy is being used alone and in combination with other procedures, with the expectation that it contributes to maintaining the arch. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of osteotomy on reducing medial arch strain. Whole cadaver feet were subjected to vertical loads while plantigrade. Spring ligament length was monitored using liquid metal displacement gauges. Two outcomes were examined: the length of the ligament under one-half body weight and the change in length of the ligament per unit of applied load. The medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy allowed elongation of the ligament with weightbearing, but at a shorter ligament length. This afforded the spring ligament protection from the levels of force experienced in the intact and lateral column-lengthened conditions.     

Technique for Minimally Invasive Reduction of Calcaneal Fractures Using Small Bilateral External Fixation

Soft tissue complications are well known after extensile exposure of the calcaneus for open reduction internal fixation of fractures. A variety of recommendations have been proposed to reduce soft tissue healing issues and infection. Despite these recommendations, some surgeons believe that soft tissue complication rates have remained unacceptably high with lateral extensile incisions. Recently, interest in minimally invasive repair techniques for calcaneal fractures has increased. These techniques have been purported to avoid some of the common soft tissue problems seen with calcaneal open reduction internal fixation. The focus of the present communication is to share a minimally invasive surgical method for the reduction and fixation of calcaneal fractures. Percutaneous fixation of the posterior facet fragments can be facilitated by distraction of the fractured calcaneus using skeletal traction and a small bilateral external fixator. Final stability is achieved with a combination of the external fixator and percutaneous screws and/or wires. We present our technique and discuss recent published studies on minimally invasive repair of calcaneal fractures.     

A new instrumentation for heel spur resection

Numerous procedures are available for resecting an inferior calcaneal exostosis (heel spur) when conservative management of the condition fails. A study was conducted with Sheridan Park Hospital patients by using the Kazanjian nasal forceps for spur removal. This procedure minimizes soft tissue destruction, bone pain, and iatrogenic calcaneal fractures.     

Comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures: Multiplanar VA locked plating and interlocked nailing incorporate longitudinal strut and provide superior stability – a biomechanical cadaveric study

Treatment of comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures remains controversial and challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical performance of three different methods for fixation of such fractures. Comminuted calcaneal fractures, including Sanders III AB fracture of the posterior facet and Kinner II B fracture of the calcaneocuboid joint (CCJ) articular calcaneal surface, were created in 18 human cadaveric lower legs by osteotomizing. The ankle joint, medial soft tissues and midtarsal bones along with their ligaments were preserved. The specimens were randomized to three groups for fixation with either (1) 2.7 mm variable-angle locking lateral calcaneal plate (Group 1), (2) 2.7 mm variable-angle locking anterolateral calcaneal plate in combination with one 4.5 mm and one 6.5 mm cannulated screws (Group 2), or (3) interlocking calcaneal nail with 3.5 mm screws in combination with three separate 4.0 mm cannulated screws (Group 3). All specimens were biomechanically tested to failure under axial loading in midstance foot position. Each test commenced with a quasi-static compression ramp from 50 to 200 N, followed by progressively increasing cyclic loading at 2 Hz. Starting from 200 N, the peak load of each cycle increased at a rate of 0.2 N/cycle. Interfragmentary movements were captured by motion tracking. In addition, mediolateral X-rays were taken every 250 cycles with a triggered C-arm. Böhler angle after 5000 cycles (1200 N peak load) increased significantly more in Group 1 compared to both other groups (P ≤ 0.020). Varus deformation of 10° between the calcaneal tuberosity and the lateral calcaneal fragments was reached at significantly lower number of cycles in Group 1 compared the other groups (P ≤ 0.017). Both cycles to 10° plantar gapping between the anterior process and the calcaneal tuberosity fragments, and 2 mm displacement at the CCJ articular calcaneal surface revealed no significant differences among the groups (P ≥ 0.773). From a biomechanical perspective, treatment of comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures using anterolateral variable-angle locking plate with additional longitudinal screws or interlocked nail in combination with separate transversal screws provides superior stability as opposed to lateral variable-angle locked plating only.     

The Treatment of Posterior Tibial Tendon Insufficiency Using the Double Heel Osteotomy and Soft Tissue Reconstruction: The “All-American Procedure”

BackgroundMultiple treatment options have been proposed for the treatment of flexible (stage II) flatfoot with posterior tibial tendon insufficiency (PTTI). This article describes the rationale and technique of our joint-sparing approach to this problem with a combination of osteotomies and soft tissue reconstruction.MethodsLengthening of the lateral column (LCL) through the anterior calcaneal process diminishes the abduction of the forefoot related to the hindfoot, plantarflexes the first ray by tightening the peroneus longus tendon, and causes the arch to rise. Hindfoot valgus is addressed with a medializing calcaneal osteotomy (MCO). Additional soft tissue procedures include transfer of the flexor digitorum longus tendon (FDL), substituting for the diseased posterior tibial tendon and a percutaneous heel cord lengthening (HCL).Results and ConclusionsThe combination of a double heel osteotomy (LCL and MCO) and a soft tissue reconstruction (FDL transfer and HCL) has proven to be an excellent operation for supple PTTI in our practice for 25 years in approximately 1000 patients. Paying careful attention to the described details of the LCL portion of the procedure improves the results of the reconstruction. Removal of the LCL screw and any remaining osteophytes at the calcaneocuboid joint seems to solve the problem of lateral column pain and some overcorrection after the initial procedure.     

Evans Calcaneal Osteotomy: Assessment of Multiplanar Correction

Flatfoot deformity consists of collapse of the medial arch, forefoot abduction, increased talonavicular uncoverage, and hindfoot valgus. Although numerous soft tissue and bony procedures have been proposed to correct each plane of deformity, there is a lack of objective data in the literature quantifying the amount of structural correction. The purpose of this study was to quantify the multiplanar deformity correction of the lateral column lengthening osteotomy (Evans) on hindfoot alignment through objective, reproducible, radiographic measurements. We retrospectively reviewed 45 Evans calcaneal osteotomy procedures in 24 female (53%) and 21 male (47%) feet performed on 40 patients (5 bilateral). The mean follow-up was 53 weeks (range, 32-116). The mean age at the time of surgery was 35 years (range, 11-73). Statistically significant improvement in radiographic alignment was found in the calcaneal inclination angle, tibial-calcaneal angle, tibial-calcaneal position, and the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle (p < .0001 for all). Although a direct correlation between graft size and degree of angular correction was not observed, it should be noted the calcaneal graft size (mean, 11.8 mm) and the amount of hindfoot valgus correction (mean, 12.6°) appear to be clinically related. The results of this study support that the Evans calcaneal osteotomy corrects the hindfoot alignment in 3 planes as evidenced by our multiplanar radiographic measurements.     

Transcalcaneal talonavicular dislocation associated with an open comminuted calcaneal fracture: a case report

The combination of dorsal dislocation of the navicular from the talus and a comminuted fracture of the calcaneus (transcalcaneal talonavicular dislocation) is an unusual and severe injury. It occurs due to a forced plantarflexion of the talar head through the anterior portion of the calcaneum and is usually associated with a potential for skin and neurovascular compromise. Few cases have been reported in the literature. This article reports an unusual case of an open transcalcaneal talonavicular dislocation associated with the presence of a calcaneal comminuted calcaneal fracture.     

Functional outcome (SF-36) of patients with displaced calcaneal fractures compared to SF-36 normative data

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the general health status after treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures compared to normative data, other orthopaedic procedures, and other medical conditions. METHODS: Three hundred and twelve patients between 25 and 64 years of age were treated for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures at a Level I trauma center. Followup ranged from 2 to 8 years. The Short Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36) was used for outcome measurement. RESULTS: The scores in eight SF-36 categories in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures differed by more than five points from the population norms. This suggests that there is clinical and social relevance to this injury. Outcomes in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures were not as good across most SF-36 categories as were outcomes of patients with other orthopaedic conditions. Outcomes in patients with intraarticular calcaneal fractures also were worse across most categories than outcomes in patients who had organ transplants or myocardial infarctions. CONCLUSION: By comparing treatment for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures with treatment for orthopaedic problems or other disease processes, we concluded that intraarticular calcaneal fractures are serious life-changing events.     

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.     

Management of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with pull-through abductor hallucis muscle flap -a report of three cases

Three patients who had chronic osteomyelitis of the calcaneus were treated with radical debridement of all involved soft tissue and bone and obliteration of dead space with a pull-through abductor hallucis brevis muscle flap. Two patients had calcaneal osteomyelitis without soft tissue loss resulting from previous comminuted calcaneal fractures while a third patient had a large soft tissue defect and calcaneal osteomyelitis resulting from a destructive infection. All of the patients had undergone several surgical procedures for treatment of the osteomyelitis with histories ranging 18 months to 30 months. Following treatment with the pull-through muscle flap there has been no recurrence over the longterm (>two years). We believe that radical removal of all contaminated tissue and immediately coverage with a muscle flap provides an effective single stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.     

Festkörperaugmentation bei Kalkaneustrümmerfrakturen

Background

Comminuted calcaneal fractures are a consequence of high impact trauma to the foot. Stable fixation and anatomically correct repositioning of the joint surfaces are often a problem. To improve fracture treatment, surgical techniques in combination with new augmentation materials have been tested.

Methods

This study presents a new concept of osteosynthesis of complex calcaneal fractures in combination with an alternative augmentation technique. Solid body augmentation was developed and mechanically tested against standard techniques. The solid body was used for augmentation of a central fracture void in combination with conventional plating.

Results

The results show a statistically significant higher stability of the new hybrid osteosynthesis concept against conventional plating techniques under in-vitro conditions.

Conclusions

This work investigated a new concept of internal support of multifragmentary calcaneal fractures. Augmentation of defect voids in the calcaneus with a mechanically stable solid body implant in combination with stable screw anchorage in this implant leads to a higher stability compared to plate-fixation and augmentation with cancellous bone under in-vitro conditions.     

Locating the Sural Nerve during Calcaneal (Achilles) Tendon Repair with Confidence: A Cadaveric Study with Clinical Applications

The sural nerve is at risk of iatrogenic injury even during minimally invasive operative procedures to repair the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. Through 107 cadaveric leg dissections, the data derived from the present study was used to develop a regression equation that will enable surgeons to estimate the intersection point at which the sural nerve crosses the lateral border of the Achilles tendon, an important surgical landmark. In most cases, the sural nerve crossed the lateral border of the Achilles tendon 8 to 10 cm proximal to the superior border of the calcaneal tuberosity. By simply measuring the leg length of the patient (from the base of the heel to the flexor crease of the popliteal fossa), surgeons can approximate the location of this intersection point with an interval length of 0.68 to 1.80 cm, with 90% confidence, or 0.82 to 2.15 cm, with 95% confidence. For example, for a patient with a lower leg length of 47.0 cm, the mean measurement in the present study, a surgeon can be 90% confident that the sural nerve will cross the lateral border of the Achilles tendon 8.28 to 8.96 cm (interval width of 0.68 cm) proximal to the calcaneal tuberosity. Currently, ultrasound and clinical techniques have been implemented to approximate the location of the sural nerve. The results of the present study offer surgeons another method, that is less intensive, to locate reliably and subsequently avoid damage to the sural nerve during calcaneal (Achilles) tendon repair and other procedures of the posterolateral leg and ankle.     

Bilateral calcaneal fracture in childhood

Calcaneal fractures in young children are rare. Bilateral calcaneal fractures in this age group are exceptional. In the literature only 4 cases of bilateral calcaneal fractures have been reported, and the youngest patient was 6 years old (range 6–17 years) [2, 8]. Jonasch [4] estimated that calcaneal fractures accounted for 0.005% of all fractures before the age of 15, in contrast to 1%–2% in adults. This is confirmed by other studies [5, 8, 10]. It is not unlikely that the incidence is indeed higher because the joint involvement in childhood injuries is often subtle, and the fracture can easily be overlooked on initial X-ray examination [7, 8]. We survey the literature and report the case of a 5-year-old boy who sustained bilateral calcaneal fractures and an additional fracture of the neck of the talus on one side, a combination which to our knowledge has never been described before. Received: 24 March 1997     

Surgical treatment for calcaneal intraosseous lipomas

Intraosseous lipoma is among rare benign tumors of the bone. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term surgical results of calcaneal lipomas, representing a relatively rare localization for this type of tumors.The present study included 21 calcaneal lipoma cases (22 feet) referred to our podiatry clinic between 1991 and 2001 with complaints of foot and heel pain resistant to conservative treatment for the last 3–6 months. In all cases, the diagnosis of calcaneal intraosseous lipoma was first confirmed radiologically, then histologically.The mean age was 39 years (range 16–62), 15 were females (71%) and 6 were males (29%). One patient had bilateral disease, whereas 11 and 9 patients had right and left calcaneal involvement, respectively. None of the patients have a palpable mass in their foot. For pre-operative differential diagnosis, 3 patients had computerized tomography examination (CT scan) and 8 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All lesions were totally curetted out with angled curettes. The defect was filled with cancellous autografts taken from the ipsilateral iliac crest. In only four patients, the amount of autograft was not sufficient, so a combination of cancellous allograft and autograft was used. No drain was used. An elastic bandage was wrapped around the foot and ankle, and cold packs were applied to the surgical site. The mean duration of follow up was 94 (45–143) months. Pain improved in 17 feet at 4 months, in an additional 4 feet at 8 months and in the remaining one foot at 12 months. The mean time to the graft consolidation was 5 months (range 3–7 months). There were no recurrences or pathological fractures during the follow up. No wound infection or necrosis was seen at the surgical sites. There were no neurovascular complications. Five cases experienced pain in the iliac bone for 1 month, due to grafting procedures.Although calcaneal intraosseous lipoma accounts for a small portion of cases in the huge differential diagnosis chart for foot pain, it should be kept in mind as a possible diagnosis in unresolved cases. Most of the patients would benefit from non-surgical treatments. But if this is not the case, surgical treatment is indicated. In conclusion, curettage and autogenous bone grafting is an easy and effective method for the surgical treatment of calcaneal intraosseous lipomas.     

Calcaneal osteotomies for the treatment of adult-acquired flatfoot

Calcaneal osteotomies are useful procedures for the treatment of stage 2 adult-acquired flatfoot. Often combined with adjunctive soft-tissue procedures, the posterior calcaneal displacement osteotomy and Evans procedure provide effective realignment of pes planovalgus deformity. Preoperative evaluation, indications, contraindications, surgical considerations and techniques are discussed.