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Calcaneal Fractures Management, Change of Clinical Practice in Recent Years from ELA to STA: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Calcaneal fractures are serious injuries that mainly affect young, active people. As a result, these fractures may cause long-term impairment and have a major socioeconomic impact. The current updated systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the functional outcomes, re-operative risk, and complications associated with the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal.

Methodology

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to conduct this meta-analysis. The literature search was carried out using PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and the EMBASE databases with the appropriate keywords.

Results

A total of 13 studies were included in this review. The follow-up months were diverse, ranging between 12 and 65 months in sinus tarsi approach (STA) and 12 to 76 months in extended lateral approach (ELA) methods. Time to surgery was shorter for the STA when compared to ELA (MD: 3.48; 95% CI 2.43 to 4.53; p < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed in functional outcomes between STA and ELA (MD: 0.34; 95% CI: −0.37 to 1.04; p = 0.35 > 0.05; I2 = 88%). In comparison to the ELA, the STA has significantly less wound healing complications (RR: 0.20; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.36; p 0.00001; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the STA technique in treating calcaneal fractures was significantly safer and more effective when compared to the ELA methods. The STA method of treatment was found to have a lower risk of complications and an infection rate, as well as a shorter operating and recovery time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital, Shree Jain Hospital & Reserch Centre, Kolkata, India

    Abhijit Bandyopadhyay

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, R.G.Kar Medical College, WBUHS U, Kolkata, India

    Sanjay Kumar

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Uluberia Medical College, Howrah, India

    Prasun Mandal

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Bandyopadhyay, A., Kumar, S. & Mandal, P. Calcaneal Fractures Management, Change of Clinical Practice in Recent Years from ELA to STA: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JOIO 57, 800–817 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-023-00871-0

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