Surgical treatment of isolated fractures of the sustentaculum tali of calcaneus / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of surgical treatment of isolated fractures of the sustentaculum tali of calcaneus via medial approach.Methods The data of 23 patients with isolated fractures of the sustentaculum tali of calcaneus was retrospectively analyzed who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screw or Kirschner wire via medial approach from September 2006 to March 2011.There were 19 males and 4 females,with an average age of 26.3 years (range,17-41 years).Associated injuries included 4 cases of talus fracture,4 of metatarsal fracture,and 3 of cuboid fracture.The functions of hiudfoot were assessed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores pre-operation and post-operation respectively.Results Fifteen patients got followed up with an average 20.5 months (10-56 months).Thirteen patients were rated as good,2 as excellent,and the excellent and good rate was 100％(15/15).All the fractures were stabilized reliably,and got clinical union with no obvious complications occurred.Time of fracture union was 8-10 weeks,with an average of 8.5 weeks.Three patients felt mild transient pain during the recovery of walking,but their pain disappeared quickly after physical therapy.No patients developed wound infection,nonunion and other complications.Conclusion For isolated fractures of the sustentaculum tali of caleaneus with articular surface displaced greater than 1 mm or involving the articular surface of middle subtalar joint,open reduction and internal fixation operation via medial approach under direct visualization is recommendable.