Operative Treatment of Intraarticular Calcaneus Fractures with extensile lateral approach

Shin, Dong Kyu; Kim, Yong Woon

Abstract

PURPOSE: Through the analysing intraarticular calcaneal fractures operated with extensile lateal approach and lateral plate fixation we tried to find the factors related to the result and to prove the usefulness of this treatment method. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed 50 intraarticular calcaneal fractures which were treated with this method between July 1995 and December 1998. We analysed the relationship between the fracture type and the accuracy of posterior facet reduction and between the accuracy of reduction and the clinical result. We also analysed the complication rate. RESULT: We gained anatomical reduction in 64% among all cases. There was significant relationship statistically between the Sanders fracture type and accuracy of reduction(p=0.001). There were also significant relationship statistically between the Sanders fractrure type and the clinical result(p=0.045) and between the accuracy of reduction and clinical result(p=0.001). It was also possible to regain the calcaneal height, width and Bohler angle through this treatment method. There was only one wound complication which was skin necrosis and was treated with dressing and finally skin graft.
CONCLUSION
Sanders classification was very useful and reasonable for this kind of fracture. The accuracy of reduction of posterior facet was very important to clinical result. This treatment method for the calcaneal fracture was useful in the term of regain of anatomical components of calcaneus such as posterior facet congruency, calcaenal height, width and Bohler angle with acceptable rate of serious complication.