Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes and wound complications of patients with closed calcaneal fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with conventional extended lateral approach. Methods: The study included 35 closed calcaneal fractures of 32 consecutive patients (28 male, 4 female) undergoing open reduction and plate fixation in our department between 2007 and 2013. All patients were operated using the extended lateral incision. All patients were examined using direct radiography and computed tomography. Böhler’s angle and Sanders classification were recorded. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system was used for the clinical functional assessments. Results: AOFAS score was significantly and positively correlated with the preoperative Böhler’s angle (r=0.667, p<0.001) and significantly and negatively correlated with the Sanders classification type (r=-0.765, p<0.001). The wound site problem was observed only in 2 patients (one had superficial wound site infection and the other developed skin necrosis), for whom good results were achieved after appropriate treatments. Conclusion: The open reduction internal fixation technique with lateral incision provided postoperative satisfactory results clinically and radiologically for intraarticular calcaneal fractures. If sufficient time is waited preoperatively for soft tissue recovery, wound site complications can be avoided in open surgery.

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