Demographics of extra-articular calcaneal fractures: including a review of the literature on treatment and outcome

Introduction  Extra-articular calcaneal fractures represent 25–40% of all calcaneal fractures and an even higher percentage of up to 60% is seen in children. A disproportionately small part of the literature on calcaneal fractures involves the extra-articular type. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of extra-articular calcaneal fractures in a Level 1 trauma centre, define the distribution of the various types of fractures and compare patient demographics between extra- and intra-articular calcaneal fractures. In addition the literature was reviewed for the most common types of extra-articular calcaneal fractures with regard to incidence, treatment and clinical outcome. Methods  The radiological records between 2003 and 2005 were reviewed for intra- and extra-articular calcaneal fractures. Patient gender-distribution and age were compared. A literature search was conducted for the treatment of extra-articular calcaneal fractures. Results  In this 3-year study period a total of 49 patients with 50 extra-articular calcaneal fractures and 91 patients with 101 intra-articular fractures were identified. The median age for the first group was 32.7 years, and for the second group 40.3 years; P = 0.04. Male predominance was significantly less pronounced for extra-articular (63%) compared with intra-articular fractures (79%; P = 0.04). Conclusion  One-third of all calcaneal fractures are extra-articular. Significant differences exist between the intra- and extra-articular groups, in terms of lower age and male–female ratio. The literature study shows inconsistencies in treatment options, but most extra-articular fractures are well manageable conservatively.     

Clinical outcomes following treatment of deep surgical site infection after fixation of calcaneal fractures: A retrospective case-control study

IntroductionDeep surgical site infection (SSI) may be a complication of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of calcaneal fractures. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with deep SSI following ORIF of calcaneal fractures via extensile lateral approach (ELA). We compared clinical outcomes of these patients, with a minimum follow-up of one year after successful treatment of deep SSI with a matched control group.MethodsIn this retrospective case-control study, demographic data, fracture characteristics, bacterial pathogens, medical treatments and surgical approaches were collected, also the outcome was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, foot function index (FFI) and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score. The differences in Böhler and Gissane's angles between infected and contralateral feet were measured. By matching a control group of uninfected cases, clinical outcomes were compared between 2 groups using the Mann–Whitney U test.ResultsAmong 331 calcaneus fractures in 308 patients (mean age, 38.0 ± 13.1; male/female ratio, 5.5), 21 had deep SSI (6.3 %). There were 16 (76.2 %) males and 5 (23.8 %) females with a mean age of 35.1 ± 11.7 years. Thirteen (61.9 %) patients had unilateral fractures. The most common Sanders Type was found to be type II. The most frequent type of detected microorganisms was Staphylococcus species. Intravenous antibiotic therapy, mostly clindamycin, imipenem and vancomycin, based on the microbiological results, was prescribed with a mean±SD duration of 28.1 ± 16.5 days. The mean number of surgical debridements was 1.8 ± 1.3. Implants needed to be removed in 16 (76.2 %) cases. Antibiotic-impregnated bone cement was applied in three (14.3 %) cases. The clinical outcomes of 15 cases (follow up, 35.5 ± 13.8; range, 12.6–64.5 months) were 4.1 ± 2.0, 16.7 ± 12.3 and 77.5 ± 20.8 for VAS for pain, FFI % and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, respectively. Comparing with the control group (VAS for pain, 2.3 ± 2.7; FFI %, 12.2 ± 16.6, and AOFAS, 84.6 ± 18.0), only VAS pain was statistically lower in this group (p-value: 0.012). The differences in Böhler and Gissane's angles between both feet of infected cases were − 14.3 ± 17.9 and − 7.7 ± 22.5 (worse in the infected side), respectively.ConclusionProper on-time approaches to deep infection following ORIF of calcaneal fractures may lead to acceptable clinical and functional outcomes. Sometimes aggressive approaches with intravenous antibiotic therapy, multiple sessions of surgical debridement, removal of implants and antibiotic impregnated cement are necessary to eradicate deep infection.Level of evidenceLevel III.     

3D printing-assisted percutaneous balloon dilatation plasty for treatment of osteoporotic calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ or Ⅲ in the elderly patients北大核心CSCD

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between 3D printing-assisted percutaneous balloon dilatation calcaneal plasty (3D-PCP) and conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) via the extended lateral L-shaped approach in the treatment of osteoporotic calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ or Ⅲ in the elderly patients. Methods Retrospectively analyzed were the data of 36 elderly patients with osteoporotic calcaneal fracture of Sanders type Ⅱ or Ⅲ who had been surgically treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Yixing People's Hospital from June 2012 to June 2018. According to their treatment methods, the patients were divided into a 3D-PCP group [16 cases, 9 males and 7 females with an age of (73.0 ± 3.4) years] and an ORIF group [20 cases, 8 females and 12 females with an age of (71.4 ± 2.6) years]. The 2 groups were compared in terms of hospital stay, operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, suture removal time, weight bearing time, fracture healing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) for the surgical site 2 days and one year after surgery, American Foot and Ankle Surgery Association (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, calcaneal imaging parameters (Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and length, width and height of the calcaneus axis) at 2 days and one year after surgery, and postoperative complications. Results There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability (P > 0.05). All patients were followed up for 14 to 18 months (mean, 15.6 months). Compared with the ORIF group, the 3D-PCP group had significantly shorter hospital stay, significantly shorter operation time, significantly earlier suture removal, significantly earlier weight-bearing, significantly lower VAS scores at 2 days after surgery, significantly higher AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at one month after surgery, but significantly more times of intraoperative fluoroscopy (all P < 0.05). In all patients, the VAS scores at 2 days after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery, and those at one year after surgery significantly lower than those at 2 days after surgery (P < 0.05). In all patients, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at one month after surgery were significantly higher than those before surgery (P < 0.001). In the ORIF group, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at one year after surgery were significantly higher than those at one month after surgery (P < 0.05), but in the 3D-PCP group there was no such a significant difference between one year and one month after surgery (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score, AOFAS score, fracture healing time or postoperative imaging parameters between the 2 groups at one year after surgery (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference either in the incidence of complications between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of osteoporotic calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ or Ⅲ in the elderly patients, compared with conventional ORIF, 3D-PCP shows advantages of shorter operation time, minimal invasion, quicker incision healing, shorter hospital stay, earlier weight-bearing exercise, and better functional recovery but a disadvantage of increased times of intraoperative fluoroscopy. © 2022 Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. All rights reserved.     

2D and 3D assessment of sustentaculum tali screw fixation with or without Screw Targeting Clamp

IntroductionPrecise placement of sustentaculum tali screw(s) is essential for restoring anatomy and biomechanical stability of the calcaneus. This can be challenging due to the small target area and presence of neurovascular structures on the medial side. The aim was to evaluate the precision of positioning of the subchondral posterior facet screw and processus anterior calcanei screw with or without a Screw Targeting Clamp. The secondary aim was to evaluate the added value of peroperative 3D imaging over 2D radiographs alone.MethodsTwenty Anubifix™ embalmed, human anatomic lower limb specimens were used. A subchondral posterior facet screw and a processus anterior calcanei screw were placed using an extended lateral approach. A senior orthopedic trauma surgeon experienced in calcaneal fracture surgery and a senior resident with limited experience in calcaneal surgery performed screw fixation in five specimens with and in five specimens without the clamp. 2D lateral and axial radiographs and a 3D recording were obtained postoperatively. Anatomical dissection was performed postoperatively as a diagnostic golden standard in order to obtain the factual screw positions. Blinded assessment of quality of fixation was performed by two surgeons.ResultsIn 2D, eight screws were considered malpositioned when placed with the targeting device versus nine placed freehand. In 3D recordings, two additional screws were malpositioned in each group as compared to the golden standard. As opposed to the senior surgeon, the senior resident seemed to get the best results using the Screw Targeting Clamp (number of malpositioned screws using freehand was eight, and using the targeting clamp five). In nine out of 20 specimens 3D images provided additional information concerning target area and intra-articular placement. Based on the 3D assessment, five additional screws would have required repositioning. Except for one, all screw positions were rated equally after dissection when compared with 3D examinations.ConclusionThis study does not show a substantial benefit between the Screw Targeting Clamp and the freehand technique as well between experienced and inexperienced surgeons. Data suggest that the clamp might help positioning sustentaculum tali screws, especially for inexperienced surgeons. Perioperative 3D recordings facilitate identification of malpositioned screws.     

Influence of Bone Quality on Precision of Calcaneal Ultrasonometry

This study was designed to determine the changes in precision of the ultrasound parameters speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI) as a function of bone quality. The instrument used in this investigation was the LUNAR Achilles. Of the 608 female patients who had paired measurements with repositioning, 200 had t scores ≥−1 and 408 had t scores ≤−2.5, thus rendering a normal and a grossly abnormal group for comparison of precision results. It was found that the median precision error (CV%) for BUA was 1.99% for normal bone and 1.44% for abnormal bone (P= 0.02). No significant difference was obtained between median precision errors in normal and abnormal bone for the parameters SOS and SI, which were 0.23% and 0.19%, and 2.15% and 2.02%, respectively. In the interquartile range, the mean precision errors for SOS and BUA were significantly different in normal and abnormal bone: SOS was 0.25% and 0.21%, respectively, and BUA was 2.31% and 1.85%, respectively. No significant change was registered for SI. Precision error appears to decrease slightly at lower values for calcaneal variables. Received: 21 August 1996 / Accepted: 5 March 1997     

Ultrasound Measurements for the Prediction of Osteoporotic Fractures in Elderly People

In this prospective study we investigated the predictive value of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and other potential predictors of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. During a 1-year period, 710 participants (132 men and 578 women), aged 70 years and older (mean age ± SD: 82.8 ± 5.9), were recruited from seven homes and apartment houses for the elderly. QUS measurements (broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS)) were assessed with a clinical bone densitometer. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on other potential predictors. Follow-up of fractures was done each half year by telephone interviews. During the study period (median follow-up 2.8 years, maximum 3.7 years), 30 participants had a first hip fracture and 54 suffered from a first other nonspinal fracture. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex, showed that the relative risk (RR) of hip fracture for each standard deviation reduction was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4–3.7) for BUA and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1–2.3) for SOS. Slightly weaker relationships were found for any fracture (BUA: RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2–2.1; SOS: RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.6). Multivariable analyses identified low BUA values and immobility as the strongest predictors for hip fractures and any fracture. Female gender proved to be the strongest predictor for other nonspinal fractures. It can be concluded that QUS measurements can predict the risk for hip fracture and any fracture in elderly people. Received: 23 July 1998 / Accepted: 19 November 1998     

定量超声与双能骨密度测定在骨质疏松诊断中的应用及评价

目的观察定量超声法(QUS)在骨质疏松诊断中的意义及双能X线骨密度测定法(DEXA)在骨结构评价中的作用.方法采用Osteospace定量超声跟骨测定仪及HologicQDR4500A型双能骨密度测定仪,对40例健康体检者同时测定跟骨超声声速(SOS)、声衰减(BUA)以及全身、正位腰椎、侧位腰椎、侧位腰椎感兴趣区、股骨近端骨密度(BMD).结果BUA、SOS与大多数部位BMD相关关系显著(r=0.35～0.62,P<0.05或P<0.01);股骨近端及正位腰椎2BMD与BUA及SOS的直线回归关系显著(P<0.05).结论QUS是诊断骨质疏松和评价骨强度的良好方法.在DEXA测定部位中,股骨近端及正位腰椎2BMD有较高的评价骨结构特性价值.     

异体跟骨移植及腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复跟骨缺损

目的　探讨应用同种异体跟骨移植及腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣 ,修复跟骨缺损的临床效果。　方法　 1996年 2月～ 2 0 0 2年 12月 ,采用同种异体跟骨移植及吻合腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足跟骨缺损 6例。致伤原因为车祸伤 3例 ,机器绞扎伤 2例 ,砸伤 1例。其中跟骨后 1/ 3缺损 3例 ,后 1/ 2缺损 2例 ,后 2 / 3缺损 1例 ,均伴有足跟软组织不同程度缺损和跟腱断裂。皮瓣范围 6 cm× 7cm～ 12 cm× 17cm。急诊手术 2例 ,择期手术 4例。采用异体骨修复跟骨缺损 ,跟腱“Z”字形延长钢丝固定于再造跟骨粗隆处 ,修复软组织缺损。　结果　 4例皮瓣全部成活 ,2例皮瓣远端部分坏死 ,经换药后创面愈合。术后 X线片显示 :移植异体骨对位良好 ,恢复了足跟结构。术后 3～ 6个月足跟部皮瓣感觉恢复。所有患者均获随访 6个月～ 3年 ,植入的异体骨骨性愈合 ,未见明显吸收、感染和排斥反应等并发症。足外形饱满 ,可负重行走。　结论　应用同种异体跟骨修复跟骨缺损 ,取材方便 ,且符合人体自然结构及功能要求。采用腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣 ,不牺牲肢体的主要血管 ,手术风险小 ,操作简便、外形好、有感觉 ,可恢复行走功能     

跟骨丘部重建距下关节融合治疗跟骨骨折严重畸形愈合

目的介绍自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台术治疗严重跟骨骨折畸形愈台的方法，探讨手术适应证及优、缺点。方法1998年11月～2002年8月．对17例21足跟骨骨折严重畸形愈台患者采用自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台的方法进行治疗．男13例17足．女4例4足；年龄25～45岁，平均35.4岁；单侧跟骨骨折13侧13足，双侧4例8足．选择跟骨外侧改良“L”形切口行自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融合术，其中15例17足取髂骨植骨，1例2足分别取髂骨植骨和跟骨外膨的外侧壁植骨．1例2足取跟骨外膨的外侧壁植骨。所有跟骨外嘭的外删壁均做切除．结果15例18足获得随访。随访时间9～22个月，平均14．5个月。按Maryland方法评价术后功能：优7足，良9足，可2足；优良率为88．9%，X线片示Bohler角、Gissane角、距骨倾斜角、跟骨宽度及丘部高度基本恢复正常，结论自体植骨丘部重建距下关节融台术是治疗严重跟骨骨折畸形愈合的一种有技方法。可明显矫正跟骨畸形．恢复后足外形及功能。