OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical results of percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation for the treatment of calcaneal fractures, and to compare therapeutic effects between close reduction hollow screw internal fixation and open reduction plate internal fixation.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to May 2010, 53 patients with calcaneal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups, 25 patients in group A (PR group) treated with percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation, including 17 males and 8 females, with an average age of (39.4 +/- 9.9) years. While 28 patients in group B (OR group) treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation, including 18 males and 10 females, with an average age of (38.6 +/- 10.2) years. According to Sanders classification, there were 18 patients with type II fractures, 29 patients with type III and 6 type IV. In both groups, operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications and radiology were recorded. Functional recovery was evaluated by Maryland score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from nine months to thirty-five months (averaged 20.4 months). There were no significant differences in sex, age, fracture type, fracture classification, initial Böhler angle, or late complications between the two groups. But significant difference can be seen between operative time, blood loss, and skin complications (in group A no nonunion and skin complications occurred, but subtalar posttraumatic arthritis occurred in 1 case; in group B, 3 patients had complications of skin necrosis, 1 patient suffered from a delayed union due to large defect filled with artificial bone, and 1 patient got subtalar posttraumatic arthritis). No difference were found in the latest X-ray film. According to Maryland score, in group A, 8 got an excellent result and 12 good. In group B, 10 got an excellent and 14 good. There were no significant differences between the two groups in Margland score.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that in comparison with open reduction, percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation minimizes complications and achieves good results. Further study of this technique is needed.