Open reduction and internal fixation is currently considered as a gold standard of treatment in most of the intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Among various different approaches, extensile lateral approach is the most popular since it provides good exposure to the subtalar joint. However, wide skin incision followed by extensive soft tissue dissection leading to increased risk of wound breakdown is the most serious drawback. Sinus tarsi approach, a minimal invasive technique to approach the subtalar joint and reduce the intra-articular calcaneal fractures, provides good clinical outcome and less wound complications compared to the extensile lateral approach. This article introduces the surgical technique and review of the literature regarding the sinus tarsi approach.
Calcaneus ; Skin ; Subtalar Joint ; Wounds and Injuries

For the arthroscopic fusion procedure, the development of arthroscopic techniques of joint preparation for fusion have made arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis popular, and foot and ankle surgeons also have gained considerable experience in arthroscopic techniques. Arthroscopic techniques offer minimized soft tissue disruption, lower morbidity and mortality, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay and time to fusion. In addition, they may reduce the risk of wound complications for patients with a poor soft tissue envelope or relevant co-morbidities.
Ankle Joint ; Ankle* ; Arthrodesis ; Arthroscopy* ; Foot* ; Humans ; Joints ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Subtalar Joint ; Surgeons ; Wounds and Injuries

Subtalar dislocation is defined as a separation of the talocalcaneal and talonavicular articulations, commonly caused by high-energy mechanisms, which include falls from height, motor vehicle crashes, and twisting leg injuries. The dislocations are divided into medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior types on the basis of the direction in which the distal part of the foot has shifted in relation to the talus. The most common type is medial dislocation resulted from inversion injury. Subtalar dislocation may accompany with other fractures. Physical examination must be performed carefully to assess for neurovascular compromise. Most of the subtalar dislocations can be treated with closed reduction under sedation. If this is not possible, open reduction without further delay should be conducted. After primary treatment, X-ray and computed tomography scan should be performed to evaluate the alignment and the fractures. We report a 37-year-old male patient sustained a subtalar dislocation without any bony injury when he was playing football. The patient was successfully treated by closed reduction, and a good alignment was observed at the last follow-up. The pathogenesis and treatment method of this case were analyzed, and the related literature were reviewed, which provided a reference for future clinical treatment.
Adult ; Closed Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Football/injuries* ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Male ; Subtalar Joint/injuries* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo report the results of arthroscopic release to treat subtalar stiffness after calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to December 2006, 10 cases of subtalar stiffness were treated. There were 8 male and 2 female cases, with an average age of 36 years old (ranging from 18 to 48). All, but 2 cases, had single subtalar involvement. The routine triple portals (lateral, anterolateral, posterolateral portals) were applied with the patient placed in the lateral decubitus position. The anterior capsule, lateral gap, calcaneofibular ligament, posterior capsule together with the posteromedial corner of the subtalar joint were released step by step under arthroscopic control. Finally, manual release was performed.

RESULTSAll cases were followed-up for 12 to 36 months (mean, 24.5 months). According to the AOFAS hindfoot activity rating scale, 10 cases were rated as Grade III, 2 as Grade II before the surgery. Nine cases were improved to Grade I, 3 to Grade II at the last follow-up after the surgery. AOFAS hindfoot scores were significantly improved from 71.4 before the surgery to 90.6 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01). All cases returned to the previous work at an average of 1.8 months (range, 1 to 3 months) after the surgery.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic release to treat subtalar stiffness after calcaneal fracture has such advantages as minimally-invasiveness, simplicity and effectiveness.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subtalar Joint ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Talus is an important structure of the ankle joint and its function is critical for ambulation and weight bearing. The talus fracture is rare, but the complications of fracture and dislocation are serious and resulting in avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis. So its treatment is carefully considered at initial status. Authors reviewed 11 cases of fracture and dislocation of the talus treated at Yeungnam university hospital from 1984 to 1991. The longest follow up was 8 years and shortest, 1 years. The results were as follows. 1. There were all males, the average age was 30 years old. 2. The most common cause was fall down (8 cases), and next traffic accident (2 cases), sports injury (1 case). 3. According to Marti-Weber classification, 1 case was type I, 1 in type II, 4 in type III and 5 in type IV. 4. The method of treatment were open reduction and internal fixation in 6 cases, the others were closed reduction in 5 cases. 5. Final results (by Hawkins grading system) were as follows, 3 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 1 case was fair and 3 cases were poor. 6. Complications were AVN in 2 cases, degenerative arthritis in 8 cases, malunion in 1 case. 7. The range of motion of the ankle joint was relatively preserved (74%), but in the subtalar joint it was decreased (43%)
Accidents, Traffic ; Ankle Joint ; Athletic Injuries ; Classification ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Subtalar Joint ; Talus* ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methods of reduction and stable fixation for the treatment of calcaneus fracture involving posterior subtalar articular facet.

METHODSFrom September 2004 to September 2008, 31 cases(38 feet) of calcaneus fracture involving posterior subtalar articular facet were treated with open reduction and plate fixation through L incision. There were 24 males and 7 females, with an average age of 39.6 years ranging from 20 to 65 years. All 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 22 of type II,14 of type III, 2 of type IV.

RESULTSAll cases were followed up for from 12 to 36 months with an average of 25 months, and all the fractures healed without skin flap necrosis. According to the Maryland foot scoring, the total score was (96.2 +/- 8.8) on average, the results were excellent in 32 feet, good in 4 feet, fair in 2 feet.

CONCLUSIONThe replacement of the posterior articular facet by X-ray control of Broden and open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneus plate and Schanz-Screw during the operation can keep stable of articular facet, and promote early rehabilitation of calcaneus fracture affected with subtalar joint.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subtalar Joint ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the outcome of treatment for serious old intra-articular calcaneal fracture by reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus and subtalar arthrodesis and to summarize the operative indications and its attention points.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to July 2011,26 patients with Sanders type III old intra-articular calcaneal fracture were treated including 15 males and 11 females with an average age of 34 years old ranging from 27 to 45 years old. The clinical courses ranged from 7 to 24 months with an average of 18 months. Before the operation,X-ray and CT showed that Gissane angle increased while Böhler angle decreased,and calcaneus broadened,bulging on both sides. After the operations,all patients tested by imaging examination, and the width of calcaneus, the height of calcaneal thalamus, the Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured to compare with the preoperative data. Besides, for identification of improvement of the operation,the functions of patient's feet after the operation were graded according to AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale to compare with preoperative data.

RESULTSAmong them, 24 patients were followed-up from 5 to 26 months with an average of 19 months. X-rays confirmed that all cases healed successfully. There were no serious infection, and only one skin necrosis case. Sural neurocutaneous island flap was used to repair the skin with success. According to AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the total score increased from preoperative (41.00 +/- 8.22) to postoperative (79.04 +/- 7.46). There were 3 cases of excellent result, 15 cases of good result,and 6 cases of fair result. Postoperative width of calcaneus, the height of thalamus, Böhler angle and Gissane angle were better than that of preoperative data, and had statistical significance between two groups.

CONCLUSIONSubtalar arthrodesis with the reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus is an effective way to treat old intra-articular calcaneal fractures. It can correct the calcaneal deformity, restore the shape of foot and improve the function of hind foot.

Adult ; Ankle Fractures ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Bone Transplantation ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Subtalar Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome