Effect of preserving the integrity of peroneal tendon sheath on hindfoot function after calcaneus fracture surgery / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal fracture is the most common patella fracture. Traditionally, surgical treatment via an enlarged lateral approach is the gold standard method for the treatment of calcaneal fractures. However, this method can lead to joint stiffness and peroneal tendon adhesion to different extents, resulting in postoperative foot pain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of preserving the integrity of peroneal tendon sheath on hindfoot movement during open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneus fractures. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures who were admitted to the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University from July 2016 to September 2017 were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The classical lateral “L” incision was used in both groups. In the control group, the calcaneus was exposed by traditional dynamic retraction of the fibular tendon, while the experimental group was treated by static retraction with the preservation of fibular tendon sheath. The trial protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University on February 18, 2016 with the approval No. 2016-G026-01. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were 156 patients with complete follow-up data, 78 in the control group and 78 in the experimental group. The visual analogue scale scores on the first day, Bohler angle and Gissane angle at the 3rd month, and ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion angle at the 6th month of internal fixation were similar in the two groups. Hind foot valgus and varus angles at the 6th month of internal fixation and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale scores at the 1st year of internal fixation in the experimental group were better than those in the control group. Meanwhile, the excellent and good rate of Maryland hindfoot scoring system in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at the last follow-up. There were four cases of incision complications in the control group (one case of infection and three cases of necrosis) and two cases of necrosis in the experimental group. These findings indicate that calcaneus fracture surgery with preserving the integrity of peroneal tendon sheath can significantly improve the mobility of the hindfoot, and improve the patient’s satisfaction, and meanwhile do not increase the incidence of incision complications.