Modified extensile calcaneal exposure is safe




Chuansheng Fu, Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
Baofu Wei, Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
Hongjian Pei, Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
Cunyin Xue, Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
Jijuan Zhou, Academician Gu Yudong Workstation of Heze Bo’ai Hospital, Heze, China
Guodong Zhong, Academician Gu Yudong Workstation of Heze Bo’ai Hospital, Heze, China


Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of open reduction and internal fixation for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures through a modified tarsal sinus incision. Methods: A retrospective review over 3 years of the clinical data of patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation through lateral hook curvy incisions. The efficacy of the 25 lateral hook curvy incisions was analyzed. Results: According to the AOFAS hindfoot function scoring criteria, there were 20 excellent (80%), 2 good (8%), 2 fair (8%), and 1 poor patient outcome. The average pre-operative Bohler’s angle was 6.8 ± 8.9°, and the average angle at follow-up was 33.6 ± 5.7°. The average preoperative Gissane angle was 89.2 ± 20.0°, and the average angle at follow-up was 115.5 ± 5.5°. Conclusions: A lateral hook curvy incision can expose the posterior articular surface of the calcaneus and the calcaneocuboid joint, reduce stripping and pulling of the soft tissue, and avoid calcaneus valgus caused by the pulling of the peroneus tendon.



Keywords: Calcaneal fracture. Hook curvy incision. AOFAS hindfoot function score. Bohler’s angle.