ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcome of Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus ORIF and primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2003 and November 2013, 22 patients with 22 Sanders type 4 intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in this study. Of these, 11 were treated with ORIF (ORIF group), and 11 were treated with ORIF and PSTA (PSTA group). The mean follow-up period was 34.6 months (range, 18–72 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed along with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS score), and the visual analogue scale pain score (VAS score) at 6-month, 12-month, and last follow-up. Patient satisfaction, return to previous occupation and postoperative complications were also investigated. RESULTS: The results for ORIF did not differ from those for PSTA based on the last follow-up AOFAS scores or the VAS scores (p>0.05). However, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the PSTA group (p=0.008). Secondary subtalar arthrodesis was conducted in five patients (45.5%) of the ORIF group within 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in clinical outcomes between ORIF and PSTA; however, the patient satisfaction was higher in the PSTA group. PSTA may be a suitable choice for patients who need fast recovery to daily activity and to prevent the need for secondary subtalar arthrodesis.
