Open calcaneal fractures are relatively rare, but most of them are potentially devastating with severe injury of soft tissue and comminuted bone. Its management is still challenging and controversial. Improper treatment will l ead to wound infection, osteomyelitis and even amputation. Preservation or repai r of soft-tissue to partly cover the hindfoot is the most important factor for the treatment. Another important factor is to restore the alignment and function of the hindfoot. Variables in determining outcomes of different cases include s everity and type of injury, wound location and treatment options. It is suggeste d that different measures should be taken according to different types of injury . This article reviews the current development and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of open calcaneal fractures.

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Objective To study the mechanism and characteristics of calcaneal fracture involving calcaneocuboid joint and its surgical clinical results. Methods 71 cases with 90 calcaneal fractures accompanied calcaneocuboid joint injury were reviewed in our hospital from February 1997 to April 2001, which included 61 ankles of 46 males and 29 ankles of 25 females with an average age of 38.7 years (range, 18 to 67 years). AP, lateral and axial view X-ray of both feet, broaden view X- ray of the affected foot, and CT scan were taken preoperatively. Among them, 45 ankles were examined with three dimensional reconstruction of CT as well. The calcaneocuboid joint injury were divided into 4 types as follows: typeⅠ(46/90) with one articular fracture line but no displacement; type Ⅱ(26/90) with one articular fracture line accompanied the displacement of fragment and the subluxation of calcaneocuboid joint; type Ⅲ (11/90) with two fracture articular lines, and the displacement of fragment as well as the subluxation of calcaneocuboid joint; and type Ⅳ (7/90) with three articular fracture lines and comminuted fracture or the subluxation of calcaneocuboid joint. Of 71 cases, 63 were operated at 3 to 7 days after injury, and 8 delayed at 10 to 14 days. The incision started at the middle point between the fibula and Achilles tendon proximal to the apex of lateral malleolus, and extended distally to the adjacent part of dorsal and plantar skin, then anterior to the base of fifth metatarsus. After the reduction of fractures, type Ⅰcalcaneal plate, designed by authours, was used for type Ⅰ,Ⅱand Ⅲ fractures, the anterior part of calcaneus was fixed with the vertical wing of plate; type Ⅱ calcaneal plate was used for type Ⅳfractures, the horizontal wing of plate was fixed to cuboid to stabilize the comminuted fragments of anterior calcaneus. Results Of 90 ankles, 78 were followed up for an average of 18.7 months (range, 12 to 32 months). The total excellent and good rate was 94.9% according to Marryland foot score. Furthermore, In type Ⅰ, the excellent and good rate was 100%, type Ⅱ 95.7%, type Ⅲ 88.9% and type Ⅳ 60%. Among the types Ⅳ fracture, 7 ankles obtained satisfied internal fixation, but in 4 of them the plates were broken after weight bearing walking. Conclusion The injury of calcaneocuboid joint is related with the severity of calcaneal fracture, attention should be paid and carried out with reliable internal fixation.

Objective To introduce the reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus by bone autograft and subtalar arthrodesis for severe deformities caused by malunion of calcaneal fractures and to discuss the indications and its advantages of the management. Methods From November 1998 to August 2002, 17 cases with 21 malunited calcaneal fractures were treated, which were 13 males and 4 females with an average age of 35.4 years( 25 to 45 years). Unilateral calcaneus was involved in 13 cases, and bilateral calcaneus was affected in 4 cases. The primary treatment was manipulation and immobilization with a cast in all patients. The interval from injury to the operation was on an average of 33.6 months(7 to 50.4 months). The common complaints were painful heels and walking difficulty. Furthermore, there was subluxation of talonavicular joint in 5 cases, protruded osteophyte and fragment from the lateral wall of calcaneus in 12 cases. Lateral, axial, and oblique roentgenograms were taken preoperatively, and three dimensional reconstruction of CT scan as well. Results The modified extended L-shaped approach lateral to calcaneus was used. The bulging lateral wall of calcaneus was excised and reserved for reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus if possible. While in some cases the bone autograft had to be harvested from iliac crest if the excised lateral wall was not available. After the cartilage of subtalar joint was removed completely, the calcaneal thalamus was reconstructed with the bone and fixed with 2 to 3 screws, the contour and position of calcaneus was conformed without valgus or varus by "C" arm intensifier. A short leg cast was used for immobilization one month after operation. Among the patients, 18 feet were followed up on an average of 14.5 months (9 to 22 months). The total excellent and good rate was 88.8% according to Maryland foot score system. Plain radiography showed that B hler angle, Gissane angle, talus inclining angle, width of calcaneus and height of calcaneal thalamus were restored to nearly normal. Conclusion The reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus by bone autograft combined with subtalar arthrodesis is an effective operation for severe malunion of calcaneal fractures, which can improve calcaneal abnormality, and make recovery of the shape of hind foot and functions satisfactorily.

Objective To introduce calcaneal osteotomy without subtalar fusion for calcaneal malunion and to discuss its indications, advantages and disadvantages. Methods From November 1998 to May 2003, 24 cases with 26 calcaneal malunion for 1 to 9 months were treated by calcaneal osteotomy without subtalar fusion. The average age was 32.6 years (range, 28 to 42 years). All patients underwent radiography including plain, axial and lateral views for calcaneus, oblique view for foot and three-dimensional CT imaging reconstruction. According to Sanders classification, 13 cases were of type Ⅱ(9Ⅱb, 4Ⅱc), 13 of type Ⅲ(8 Ⅲac, 5 Ⅲbc). Through the modified lateral L-shaped approach, the protruding lateral wall of calcaneus was resected and the posterior subtalar facet was reduced by elevating the fragment of the posterior subtalar facet upwards and backwards. The defect of calcaneus was filled with bone autografts. Iliac crest bone graft was used in 19 feet and the bone graft resected from the extruding lateral wall of calcaneus in 7 feet. The calcaneus was fixed with plate and screw. Results 21 feet were followed up for an average of 14.5 months (range, 9 to 22 months). No complications such as wound infection, screw breakage and calcaneum varus were found postoperatively. The average time for bone healing was 11.2 weeks (range, 10.5 to 13.3 weeks). The postoperative functional evaluation by Maryland foot score system revealed excellent result in 8 feet, good in 10, fair in 3. The rate of excellent to good results was 86%. Plain radiographs showed the nearly complete restoration of Bhler angle, Gissane angle, talus inclining angle, calcaneal width and height of the calcaneal thalamus. Conclusion Calcaneal osteotomy without subtalar fusion is an effective method for calcaneal malunion with advantages of correcting deformity markedly, restoring the function and the outer aspect of hindfoot satisfactorily.

Objective To investigate the properties of hind foot motion and it's changes in ankle or subtalar joint arthrodesis. Methods Eight fresh frozen adult leg-foot specimens were mounted in a coordinated system, a Steinmann pin was perforated across the calcaneus as a marker. The displacements of the marked points in the coordinated system were recorded when subtalar or ankle joint was fixed respectively. Through matrix translation and Euler equation, the angle of the calcaneus rotation were calculated, representing the motion of the subtalar and ankle joints in different condition, Statistical analysis were also taken between different conditions. Results Three dimensional (3-D) motion was observed in hind foot motion. The range of motion with ankle joint fixation was: inversion 15.99??2.81?, eversion 8.62??1.90?, dorsiflexion 3.70??1.00?, plantar flexion 5.87??1.39?, adduction 7.64??2.04?, and abduction 3.99??1.78?. When subtalar joint was fixed, they were: 7.13??1.07?, 5.52??0.85?, 17.09??2.87?, 30.75??5.04?, 10.77??1.56?, and 6.54??1.88? respectively. While they were 22.62??3.21?, 40.88??5.77?, 18.87??3.89?, 9.12??2.05?, 17.48??2.26? and 11.47??2.29?, when no joint was fixed. Arthrodeses of ankle or subtalar joint would affect the hindfoot motion significantly (P

Objective To introduce the method of arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for intra-articular calcaneal fractures and to discuss its clinical indications, advantages and disadvantages. Methods From February 2003 to December 2004, 12 unilateral intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated with the method of arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. 7 cases were males and 5 cases were females. The average age was 36.8 years (range, 23-61 years). 8 feet were on right side and 4 feet were on left side. The mechanism of injury was fall from a height in 11 cases and vehicle accident in 1 case. According to Sanders classification, 8 cases were type Ⅱ fractures(1 type ⅡA, 5 type ⅡB, 2 type ⅡC) and 4 cases were type Ⅲ fractures(2 type ⅢAB,1 type ⅢAC,1 type ⅢBC). Results Arthroscopy in the operation showed the fracture space and step were less than 1 mm. The preoperative X-ray film showed that B?觟hler angle was 18.4??5.8?, Gissane angle was 109.1??10.2?, calcaneal width was (35.9?2.2) mm. The postoperative X-ray film demonstrated that B?觟hler angle was 25.4??3.5?, Gissane angle was 118.1??6.4?, calcaneal width was (32.3?1.1) mm. The average follow-up of nine patients was 17.4 months (range, 10-25 months). According to Maryland foot score, all patients had satisfactory results with the mean score of 92.5 score (range, 82-100 score), 6 were excellent and 3 were good. None of the patients had re-displacement of fracture, significant lame or other late complications. They regained normal shape of foot and wore normal footwear. Conclusion Arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation is an effective and applicable minimal-invasive treatment for Sanders type Ⅱ and selected type Ⅲ intra-articular calcaneus fractures. It can significantly reduce the risk of soft tissue injury and other complications while ensuring satisfactory reduction of the posterior calcaneal facet of the subtalar joint and reliable fixation.

[Objective]To investigate the curative effect and methods of distal tibial fracture by operation.[Method]From May 2004 to Feb.2005,30 cases of distal tibial fracture were treated in the department.All cases were treated with open reduction,internal fixation with medial anatomic plates,and with bone-grafting prophylacticly in all cases.The operation would be done on 10~14 days after fracture.They were followed up and analyzed retrospectively.[Result]All cases were followed up for 8～17 months(average 13.9 months).All wounds were primary healing and all fractures obtained bone-union.Twenty-two cases were the excellent,6 cases were the good according to Mazur's criteria.The excellent and good rate was 93.3%.All cases had no severe complication,such as wound infection,cutaneous necrosis and bone non-union.[Conclusion]Anatomic plate of distal tibia is a perfect choice for treatment of distal tibial fracture.Operative juncture and prophylactic bone grafting were very important to obtain satisfactory effect.

Objective To discuss the methods of the operative treatment for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). Methods From December 2002 to June 2005, 8 cases of PTTD were treated with operations, including 2 males and 6 females with an average age of 47 years (range, 36 to 56 years). Left side was involved in 6 cases, and right side was affected in 2 cases. Stage Ⅱposterior tibial tendon dysfunction were 2 feet and stage Ⅲ were 6 feet. Every case with special operative treatment, for instance lateral column lengthening, arthrodesis, repair posterior tibial tendon, spring ligament reefing, flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer and so on. Every bone operation was combined with one or more than one sofe tissue operation. Anterior transfer and strengthening of posterior tibial tendon were performed in 4 cases, spring ligament reefing in 2 cases, flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer in 4 cases. All patients were fixed with plaster cast at inversion position for 4-6 weeks, then changed to plaster splint fixing at neutral position for 4 weeks. Functions of ankle and foot were evaluated before and after operation. Results All patients were followed up for an average of 28 months(range, 12 to 40 months). According to Maryland foot score, 2 were fair and 6 were failure in preoperative, 4 were excellent, 3 were good and 1 was fair in postoperative. The total excellent and good rate was 87.5%. The specific index of X-ray improve obviously(P

[Objective]To discuss the operative treatment for adult flatfoot deformity with severe pain.[Method]From August 2002 to October 2004,operative treatment for 12 cases of unilateral adult flatfoot deformity with severe pain underwent operative treatment,which included 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 35 years(range,20 to 56 years),left side was involved in 8 cases,and right side was affected in 4 cases.According to etiological factor,stageⅡ~Ⅲ posterior tibial tendon dysfunction were 6 feet,congenital flatfoot were 3 feet,neurological flatfoot were 2 feet and postoperative equinovarus was 1 feet.Every case received special operative treatment,for instance lateral column lengthening,medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy,arthrodesis,repair posterior tibial tendon,sping ligament reefing,FDL tendon transfer and so on.All patients were fixed with plaster cast at inversion position for 4~6 weeks,then changed to plaster splint fixing at neutral position for 4 weeks.Functions of ankle and foot were evaluated before and after operation.[Result]All patients were followed up for an average of 22 months(ranged,16 to 28 months).The total excellent and good rate was 83.3% according to Marryland foot score.The specific index of X-ray improved obviously(P