RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The key point of the displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures is to accurately and effectively reset the intra-articular calcaneal fractures and effectively reduce the incidence of incision-related complications. Currently, the minimally invasive approach has been widely used in the treatment of calcaneal fractures. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes and safety of minimally invasive longitudinal approach and minimally invasive tarsal sinus approach for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. METHODS: A prospective, single center, open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial is conducted. 200 patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures will be randomly divided into minimally invasive approach group and tarsal sinus approach group, with 100 cases in each group, and treated with minimally invasive longitudinal approach and tarsal sinus approach repair, respectively. Follow-up time will be 5 weeks, 4, 8, 12, 36 months after surgery. The primary outcome is the excellent and good rate of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score at 5 weeks, 4, 8, 12 and 36 months after operation. Secondary outcomes are operative time, CT and X-ray images preoperatively and 5 weeks, 4, 8, 12, 36 months postoperatively at the injury site, and the incidence of adverse reactions 5 weeks, 4, 8, 12, 36 months postoperatively. The trial has been approved by Ethics Committee of Wuxi Third People's Hospital.The study is in line with the Declaration of Helsinki developed by the World Medical Association.Participants will be informed and sign consent for the protocol and procedure. Trial ethics approval [Approved by: Wuxi Third People's Hospital, Approval No. 20140402-2] was conducted in April 2014. The sample and data collection will be from January 2018 to October 2019, and the indicator analysis time and test completion time will be December 2019. The results will be reported in scientific meetings or published in peer-reviewed journals. The trial has registered in China Clinical Trial Register (registration number: ChiCTR-IOR-17013697). DISCUSSION: The trial will compare minimally invasive tarsal sinus approach and minimally invasive longitudinal approach for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures to clarify the characteristics and clinical application range of the two minimally invasive techniques.