Result of Surgical Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures Using Extensile Lateral Approach

Cho, Sung Do; Cho, Yong Sun; Kim, Bum Soo; Park, Tae Woo; Kim, Gi Bong; Kim, Key Yong

Abstract

Thirty-eight calcaneal fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using extensile lateral approach from Jun. 1993 to Dec. 1996 and were followed more than a year. According to the Essex-Lopresti classification, there were 28 cases of joint depression type and 10 cases of tongue type. According to the Sanders classification, there were 20 cases of type II, 13 cases of type III and 5 cases of type IV. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures using extensile lateral approach and its complications. The results were as follows; 1. B.. ohler angle was improved from -2.4degrees to 20.5degrees and Gissane angle was improved from 114.5degrees to 120.4degreesafter the operation. The height of the calcaneus was improved from 75% to 95% and the width of the calcaneus was reduced from 119% to 106% of contralateral side. 2. yThe postoperative reduction status of the articular surface was analyzed by computed tomography(CT) in 18 patients and was found to be less than 2 mm of step-off in 10 cases, between 2 and 5 mm in 7 cases and more than 5 mm in 1 case. 3. Based on the assessment criteria of Salama et al., the functional results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 14 cases, fair in 10 cases, and poor in 4 cases. Unsatisfactory results were correlated with severity of articular comminution and failure to obtain accurate reduction of the articular surface. 4. Fourteen cases (36.8%), developed postoperative complications such as heel pain, causalgia and numbness, subtalar arthritis, marginal necrosis of wound, lateral subfibular impingement and heel bulging. In conclusion, Because of high incidence of postoperative complications, careful and meticulous exposure technique in doing extensile lateral approach are necessary for a satisfactory outcomes.