Abstract

Purpose
We report the radiologic and the clinical results for surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures involving the subtalar joint. Methods: We evaluated the findings of radiographs and computed tomographs of 39 patients (40 cases) with intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The fractures were treated with open reduction via an extended lateral approach and internal fixation using a plate. We assessed the radiologic results, such as the Böhler angle, the Gissane angle, and the height/width ratio. We assessed the clinical results based on the critieria of Salama et al. Results: According to the Essex-Lopresti classification, 9 cases were classified as tongue type and 31 cases as joint depression type. According to the Sanders classification, 10 cases were classified as type IIA, 4 cases as IIB, 16 cases as IIIAB, 4 cases as IIIAC, and 6 cases as type IV. The mean preoperative Böhler angle was 7.7, the mean postoperative Böhler angle was 21.1, and the mean last follow-up Böhler angle was 16.8. Clinical results classified as 10 excellent, 13 good, 11 fair, and 6 poor. Conclusion: In the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus, open reduction via an extended lateral approach seems to be a useful method in that it can provide direct exposure of the subtalar joint with little morbidity.

• Keywords: Calcaneus, Intra-articular fracture, Lateral approach