Percutaneous reduction combined with bone graft in treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Objective: To introduce the experience and key points of percutaneous reduction combined with bone graft to treat calcaneal fractures. Methods: Percutaneous reduction and internal fixation combined with bone graft was performed from April 2004 to April 2006 on 15 cases (16 sides) with intra-articular calcaneal fractures including 13 males (14 feet) and 2 females (2 feet) ,with average age of 36. 6 years (24-61 years). All patients underwent radiography including lateral and axial views for calcaneus, oblique view for foot and three-dimensional CT imaging reconstruction. According to Sanders classification, there were 12 feet of type Ⅱ (3 type Ⅱ a, 3 type Ⅱ b and 8 type Ⅱ c)and 2 feet of type lilac. The length of calcaneus was recovered through traction by Steinmann pin which passed through calcaneal tubercle perpendicularly and the posterior facet was elevated until reduction by a curve scissors through an 0.5 cm incision along the primary fracture line of lateral calcaneus. The calcaneus was fixed with different cannulated cancellous screws according to the type of fractures. Then bone graft was injected to fill the defect of calcaneus through lateral incision. Results: All patients were followed up for an average of 18.4 months (ranged, 12 to 34 months). No complication such as wound infection, screw breakage and calcaneum varus was found postoperatively. The average time for bone healing was 10 weeks. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 4 cases according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. The rate of excellent and good clinical results was 100%. The mean AOFAS hindfoot score in tongue type group (86.5+4.4) was better than in joint depression type group (81.2±1.7, P<0.05). Radiography showed basic restoration of Bohler's angle, Gissane's angle and calcaneal shape. Conclusion: The combination of percutaneous reduction and injectable bone graft is suitable for surgical treatment of Sanders 11 and III type calcaneal fractures, with advantages of simple operation, fewer complications and good clinical results.