Radiological results and clinical complications after calcaneal articular fracture surgical treatment using minimally invasive percutaneous fixation

Abstract

The choice of method for surgical treatment of articular calcaneal fractures remains problematic due to the potential complications and difficulty in restoring loss of functional status, anatomical geometry and congruence of joint surfaces. The preferred method of surgical treatment for these injuries, among others, is still minimally invasive percutaneous fixation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological results of articular calcaneal fractures surgical treatment using a minimally invasive percutaneous fixation and to determine the prevalence of complications in early and long-term observation. Radiological results of surgical treatment of 82 patients operated using minimally invasive percutaneous fixation were analyzed. The radiological results were based on Bőhler angle and varus angle using criteria according to Harnroongroj and Golec. Postoperative complications were registered in a 3 months follow-up (early observation) and after 6 months (long-term observation). Patients with tongue-type fractures had significantly better surgical outcomes than patients with depression-type fractures. Displacements of bone fragments in articular calcaneal fractures visualized radiographically by the changes of Harnroongroj et al. angle do not constitute a serious surgical problem and are easily repositioned and stabilized, as opposed to displacements resulting in changes in the value of the Böhler angle. The most common postoperative complications were local inflammatory reactions at the point of entry of fixation material and thromboembolic complications. Results of surgical treatment of articular fractures of the calcaneus using a minimally invasive percutaneous fixation are good and satisfactory in majority of patients suggesting that this method constitutes proper choice of treatment.

Keywords: complications; intra-articular calcaneal fractures.