OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of percutaneous poking tension band splint fixation for the treatment of calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to February 2009,40 patients with calcaneal fractures (42 feet) were treated by percutaneous poking reduction, including 28 feet of male and 14 feet of female, with an average age of 34.2 years ranging from 18 to 55 years. The course was from 2 hours to 7 days. All fractures were fresh and closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Patients were divided into two groups according to fixation methods, plaster fixation in 20 feet, tension band splint in 22 feet. Three aspects including the heel of the foot and ankle width of recovery, functional recovery, complications were compared according to the United States Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society clinical score.

RESULTSThese 40 patients were followed-up for 6 months to 2 years with an average of 9 months. The calcaneal width of the recovery, the functional recovery and force line of tension band splint group were all better than that of plaster fixation group (P < 0.05); There were no significant differences in pain between two groups (P > 0.05). Occurrence of complications in tension band splint group were lower than that of plaster fixation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous poking tension band splint have advantage of stable calcaneal width and fewer complications on treatment of calcaneal fractures.