Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Large bone distractor for open reconstruction of articular fractures of the calcaneus

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The results of operative treatment of two groups of patients with articular fractures of the calcaneus were evaluated. Twenty-three cases were treated surgically using a standard reconstruction procedure. In the second group of 19 patients a large bone distractor was used; it held the soft tissue flap retracted, while aiding in articular and tuberosity fragment reduction and increasing visualisation by distraction of the posterior talocalcaneal joint. After a year, the anatomical and functional results, together with the operative time, were evaluated. All fractures healed with good or very good anatomical results. All cases, except those with complications (n = 3), achieved good (n = 28) or very good (n = 11) functional scoring. The distractor group had significantly shorter operative times, and less manpower was needed during surgery. We conclude that the large bone distractor is a useful tool in open reconstruction of articular calcaneal fractures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Barei DP, Bellabarba C, Sangeorzan BJ et al (2002) Fractures of the calcaneus. Orthop Clin North Am 33(1):263–285

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bernstain SA (2000) Late sequelae of calcaneal fractures. Clin Podiatric Med Surg 17(1):81–95

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bondi R, Padua R, Bondi L et al (2007) Treatment of calcaneal fractures: the available evidence. J Orthopaed Traumatol 8:36–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Buckley R, Tough S, McCormack R et al (2002) Operative compared with nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 84-A:1733–1744

    Google Scholar 

  5. Burton DC, Olney BW, Horton GA (1998) Late results of subtalar distraction fusion. Foot Ankle Int 19(4):197–202

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Crosby LA, Fitzgibbons TC (1996) Open reduction and internal fixation of type II intra-articular calcaneus fractures. Foot Ankle Int 17(5):253–258

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Csizy M, Buckley R, Tough S et al (2003) Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Variables predicting late subtalar fusion. J Orthop Trauma 17(2):106–112

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Grala P, Mańkowski B, Machyńska-Bućko Z (2007) Complications of dislocated calcaneal fractures. Ortop Traum Rehab 9(2):198–205

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hammesfahr JF (1989) Surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures. Orthop Clin North Am 20:679–689

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Howard JL, Buckley R, McCormack R et al (2003) Complications following management of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a prospective randomized trial comparing open reduction internal fixation with nonoperative management. J Orthop Trauma 17:241–249

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Huber FX, Hillmeier J, McArthur N et al (2006) The use of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite for the reconstruction of calcaneal fractures: preliminary results. J Foot Ankle Surg 45(5):322–328

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hutchinson F, Huebner MK (1994) Treatment of os calcis fractures by open reduction and internal fixation. Foot Ankle Int 15:225–229

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Juliano P, Ngujen H (2001) Fractures of the calcaneus. Orthop Clin North Am 32(1):35–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kierzynka G, Grala P (2008) Compartment syndrome of the foot after calcaneal fractures. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 10(4):377–383

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kumar VP, Satku K (1994) The A-O femoral distractor for ankle arthroscopy. Arthroscopy 10(1):118–119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Letournel E (1993) Open treatment of acute calcaneal fractures. Clin Orthop 290:60–67

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lim EVA, Leung JPF (2001) Complications of intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Clin Orthop 391:7–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Monsey RD, Levine BP, Trevino SG et al (1995) Operative treatment of acute displaced intraarticular calcaneus fractures. Foot Ankle Int 16(2):57–63

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Myerson MS, Manoli A (1993) Compartment syndromes of the foot after calcaneal fractures. Clin Orthop 290:142–150

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. O’Farrel DA, O’Byrne JM, McCabe JP et al (1993) Fractures of the os calcis: improved results with internal fixation. Injury 24:263–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sanders R, Fortin P, DiPasquale T et al (1993) Operative treatment in 120 displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Results using a prognostic computed tomography scan classification. Clin Orthop 290:87–95

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Schepers T, van Lieshout EMM, van Ginhoven TM et al (2008) Current concepts in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures: results of a nationwide survey. Int Orthop 32(5):711–715

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. de Souza LJ, Rutledge E (2004) Grouping of intraarticular calcaneal fractures relative to treatment options. Clin Orthop 420:261–267

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Tufescu TV, Buckley R (2001) Age, gender, work capability, and worker’s compensation in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. J Orthop Trauma 15:275–279

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Zwipp H, Tscherne H, Thermann H et al (1993) Osteosynthesis of displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus. Clin Orthop 290:76–86

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

    Pawel Grala, Wojciech Twardosz & Wieslaw Tondel

  2. Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

    Anna Olewicz-Gawlik & Pawel Hrycaj

Authors
  1. Pawel Grala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wojciech Twardosz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wieslaw Tondel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anna Olewicz-Gawlik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pawel Hrycaj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pawel Grala.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grala, P., Twardosz, W., Tondel, W. et al. Large bone distractor for open reconstruction of articular fractures of the calcaneus. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 33, 1283–1288 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0781-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0781-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation