OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical techniques and results of open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of Sanders type III, IV calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to January 2010, 58 feet of Sanders type III, IV in 51 patients were treated with open reduction and plate fixation through L incision. There were 29 males and 22 females,the age ranged from 17 to 58 years with an average of 29.5 years old. The time between injury and operation ranged from 7 to 14 days (mean, 10 days). All the patients underwent systematic CT scan with coronal and horizontal images and sagittal reconstruction. The classification of the fractures by the Sanders scale showed that there were 26 feet of type III, 32 feet of type IV. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were compared before and after operation. The clinical results were evaluated with the Maryland foot score: pain (45 scores), function (55 scores: distance walked 10 scores, stability 4, support 4, limp 4, shoes 10, stairs 4, terrain 4, cosmesis 10, motion 5).

RESULTSAll 58 feet in 51 patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 6 to 24 months,with an average of 13 months. The incidence of complications was 13.8% (8/58). Incision superficial necrosis in 2 feet,choronicity pain in 4 feet,subtalar joint arthrositis of advanced stage in 2 feet. According to Maryland foot score, the results were excellent in 23 feet, good in 27, fair in 5, poor in 3.

CONCLUSIONThe surgical techniques and results of internal fixation to fractures are related to anatomic features of calcaneus and their injury mechanism. It is an effective method for the treatment of calcaneal fractures with Sanders type III, IV.