OBJECTIVETo explore clinical outcomes of director for sustentaculum tali screwing for fixing sustentaculum tali of calcaneus.

METHODSFrom May 2012 to October 2013, totally 50 patients (60 feet) with calcaneal fractures were analyzed, and divided into director for sustentaculum calcaneous tali screwing treatment group (group A) and ordinary screwing group(group B). In group A, there were 25 patients, including 22 males and 3 females, aged from 17 to 75 years old with an average of (45.08±11.98) years; according to Sanders classification, 9 feet were type II, 16 feet were type III, and 7 feet were type IV. In group B, there were 25 patients, including 20 males and 5 females, aged from 19 to 78 years old with an average of (46.36±15.74) years; according to Sanders classification, 8 feet were type II, 13 feet were type III, and 7 feet were type IV. Radiological change, operative time, postoperative complications were observed and compared, Maryland scoring at 1 year after operation was applied to evaluate clinical outcomes.

RESULTSFifty patients were followed up, group A was followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of (17.72±4.08) months;while group B was followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of (18.68±3.40) months;there was no significant difference between two groups in following-up time(>0.05). There were significant difference in operative time, complications and fluoroscopy times between two groups(<0.05). There were significant difference in Böhler angle and Gissanes angle between two groups before and after operation(<0.05). Maryland score at 1 year after operation in group A was (84.94±12.75) and (76.96±15.32) in group B, had significant meaning between two groups (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFixation of sustentaculum tali of calcaneus aided by director for sustentaculum tali screwing, has advantages of less operative time, fluoroscopy times, incidence of complications and good recovery of function, which could provide a new aiding method for treating intra-articular calcaneal fractures.