Manufacture and clinical application of a external fixator for calcaneal fractures / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of indirect reduction and fixation with the self-manufactured external fixator as a viable alternative in the surgical treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures.Methods From May 2006 to May 2009,a total of 30 patients undergone surgical treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures were analyzed,including 20 males and 10 females with an average age of 36 years (range,15-53).According to Sanders classification based on the computed tomography scan of intraarticular calcaneal fractures,16 patients were classified as type-Ⅲ,and 14 type-Ⅳ in this series.All fractures were treated first with the external fixator as indirect reduction and fixation device on the whole,which can enlarge the interspace of the subtalar joint significantly.Then,posterior articular facet of calcaneus was exposed and reduced through a small lateral incision.The calcaneal's length,breadth,thalamus height,maximum vertical displacement of the post-articular surface,and B(o)hler angle were measured preoperatively,3 days and 6 months after operation in X-ray film.Reduction results were evaluated by CT scan according to the standard of Buckley.Results The average follow-up time of all patients was 29 months (range,4-45).Lateral and axial roentgenograms showed satisfactory restoration of the calcaneal's anatomical structure.There were significant differences between preoperative values and those 3 days or 6 months postoperatively.There were no significant differences between values 3 days postoperatively and those 6 months postoperatively.The reduction results of posterior articular facet were evaluated by CT scan.Twenty-seven patients obtained anatomical reduction,3 patients obtained uneven articular facet within 2 mm.Conclusion This selfmanufactured external fixator is a vialbe alternative in the treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures,which has advantages of minimal invasion,practicality and less complications.