OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects and safty of manipulative reduction with percutaneous poking K-wire fixation for the treatment of the calcaneus fractures and analyze the indication of the minimal invasion.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to December 2011,135 closed calcaneal fractures cases were divided randomly into poking group and plate group, treated respectively by percutaneous poking reduction and operative reduction. In poking group, there were 69 cases (82 feet) including 60 males and 9 females, with an average age of (43.29+/-10.46) years ranging from 18 to 64 years; 30 cases of left, 26 cases of right and 13 cases of double; 54 feet of Essex-Lopresti classification tongue form, 28 feet of joint compression; 33 feet of Sanders type II ,49 of type III. In plate group, there were 66 cases (75 feet) including 58 males and 8 females,with an average age of (46.00+/-2.42) years ranging from 21 to 63 years; 31 cases of left, 26 cases of right and 9 cases of double; 48 feet of Essex-Lopresti classification tongue form, 27 feet of joint compression; 28 feet of Sanders type II, 47 of type III. According to Kerr scoring standard,clinical effects and complications were evaluated combining with Sanders and Essex-Lopresti classification.

RESULTSAll 135 cases were followed up after 24 weeks. Fractures were recoveried in 8 to 12 weeks (means 10.2 weeks). In poking group, there were 2 cases of infection, 5 cases of wire movement; in plate group,18 cases of wound local skin necrosis, 5 cases of calf intestines nerve injured; there were statistical significant (P<0.05). Postoperative evaluation of Sanders type II after 24 weeks, the proportion of excellent results was above 70%,and there were no significant differences on effects of tongue form and compressing form of calcaneus fractures with percutaneous poking and operative redution (P>0.05). In the caes of Sanders type III, there were no significant differences on effects of tongue form fractures with percutaneous poking and operative reduction (P>0.05). There were significant differences on effects and complications of compressing form fractures (P<0.01), operative reduction better than percutaneous poking. Pain, walking,Kerr scoring of tongue form fractures of Sanders II , III with poking reduction were better than compression fractures. In compression fractures of Sanders Ill, plate internal fixation was better than poking redution in working and walking function, there were significant difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor tongue form or compressing form of Sanders type II and tongue form of Sanders type III, manipulative reduction with percutaneous poking K-wire fixation has advantages of minimal invasion, minimized complications. Compressing form of Sanders type III fracture should be treated with operative redution.