First Ever Documented Total Calcaneus Replacement with 3D Printed Metallic Implant for Chronic Osteomyelitis after a Calcaneal Fracture in a Young, Healthy Individual—A Literature Review and Preliminary Case Report

Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus can be a limb threatening diagnosis, which is typically treated with antibiotic therapy with or without partial resection of the bone. Extensive infection of the bone commonly results in limb amputation via transtibial or transfemoral amputation, which can increase morbidity and mortality. This case report involves a 29-year-old male who sustained bilateral calcaneal fracture after a fall, who developed osteomyelitis of the right calcaneus after being treated with internal/external fixation and antibiotic therapy. In order to preserve the limb total calcaneal replacement with 3D printed implant was done.

Fixation of Calcaneal Tuberosity Beavis II Fracture in Elderly Patients Using Locking Plate Combined with Tension Screw

Background:Calcaneus is the largest bone of foot and the main load-bearing structure of heel.The incidence of simple calcaneal tubercle avulsion fracture is low,accounting for about 1%to 3%of all calcaneal fractures.Beavis II fracture has large bone fracture,obvious displacement,obvious soft tissue irritation,and often leads to skin necrosis.It needs surgical treatment,reduction and fixation as soon as possible.Although open reduction and tension screw internal fixation is used for Beavis II calcaneal tubercle fracture,but the failure rate is more common.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the surgical treatment of calcaneal tubercle Beavis II fracture over 55 years old in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2019.The patients were treated with tension screw combined with locking plate,and followed up and analyzed.Results:12 patients in this group were followed up for 12 to 36 months(mean 20 months).After operation,the fracture healed smoothly in all patients,the healing time was 8 to 12 weeks(mean 10.7 weeks),and there were no complications such as poor incision healing,fracture displacement,internal fixation loosening,fracture and so on.When the patients were followed up 18 weeks after operation,the AOFAS score was 47 to 100,with an average of 91.1,of which 8 cases were excellent,3 good and 1 poor,with an excellent and good rate of 91.7%.Conclusion:Our hospital has been treated with tension screw combined with locking plate,fixed firmly,can early functional exercise,achieved good results.

Spontaneous calcaneal fracture in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: Four cases report and review of literature

Spontaneous calcaneal fractures in diabetic patients without obvious trauma may occur, sometimes accompanying diabetic foot ulcers. In the current study we report four cases who were hospitalized for diabetic foot ulcer with concomitant calcaneal fractures. There were four diabetic patients(one type 1 and three type 2) who registered with diabetic foot ulcers with coexisting calcaneal fractures, all of which were classified as Type A according to Essex Lopresti Calcaneal Fracture Classification. Two of the patients with renal failure were in a routine dialysis program, as well as vascular compromise and osteomyelitis in all of the patients. The diabetic foot ulcer of the 61 years old osteoporotic female patient healed with local debridement, vacuum assisted closure and then epidermal growth factor while the calcaneal fracture was then followed by elastic bandage. In two patients could not prevent progression of diabetic foot ulcers and calcaneal fractures to consequent below-knee amputation. The only patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus improved with antibiotic therapy and split thickness skin grafting, while the calcaneal fracture did not heal. In the current study we aimed to emphasize the spontaneous calcaneal fractures as possible co-existing pathologies in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. After all the medical treatment, amputation below knee had to be performed in 2 patients. It should be noted that other accompanying conditions such as impaired peripheral circulation, osteomyelitis, chronic renal failure, and maybe osteoporosis is a challenge of the recovery of calcaneal fractures and accelerate the progress to amputation in diabetic patients.

A Biomechanical Comparison of Conventional versus an Anatomic Plate and Compression Bolts for Fixation of Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability obtained by using our technique featured an anatomical plate and compression bolts versus that of the conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws in the fixation of intraarticular calcaneal fractures.Eighteen fresh frozen lower limbs of cadavers were used to create a reproductive Sanders type-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture model by using osteotomy.The calcaneus fractures were randomly selected to be fixed either using our anatomical plate and compression bolts or conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws.Reduction of fracture was evaluated through X radiographs.Each calcaneus was successively loaded at a frequency of 1 Hz for 1000 cycles through the talus using an increasing axial force 20 N to 200 N and 20 N to 700 N,representing the partial weight bearing and full weight bearing,respectively,and then the specimens were loaded to failure.Data extracted from the mechanical testing machine were recorded and used to test for difference in the results with the Wilcoxon signed rank test.No significant difference was found between our fixation technique and conventional technique in displacement during 20-200 N cyclic loading(P=0.06),while the anatomical plate and compression bolts showed a great lower irreversible deformation during 20-700 N cyclic loading(P=0.008).The load achieved at loss of fixation of the constructs for the two groups had significant difference:anatomic plate and compression bolts at 3839.6±152.4 N and anatomic plate and cancellous screws at 3087.3±58.9 N(P=0.008).There was no significant difference between the ultimate displacements.Our technique featured anatomical plate and compression bolts for calcaneus fracture fixation was demonstrated to provide biomechanical stability as good as or better than the conventional anatomic plate and cancellous screws under the axial loading.The study supports the mechanical viability of using our plate and compression bolts for the fixation of calcaneal fracture.

The Use of Calcaneal Anatomic Plate in Arthroscopically-assisted Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures

To discuss and evaluate the method and effect of using calcaneal anatomic plate in treatment of intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus with assistant of arthroscope, 86 intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus in 78 patients were reduced by open reduction, and rigid fixation was made with calcaneal anatomic plate under assistant of arthroscope. The average follow-up duration was 18 months （range 12-30 months）. The effect of treatment was evaluated according to AOFAS and X-ray before and after operation. The results showed that 86 patients have obtained satisfactory reduction according to X-ray, and there was significant difference before and after operation （P〈0. 01）, the total excellent and fine rate was 91.86%. Treating intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus with calcaneal anatomic plate under arthroscope may provide more chance to achieve anatomical reconstruction, which can lead to satisfied recovery of function and few complication.

Initial Experience with Tricortical Iliac Crest Bone Graft and Human Amniotic Allograft in Evans Calcaneal Osteotomy

Background: Adult acquired flatfoot deformity is generally mediated with an Evans procedure where a wedge of bone is placed into the calcaneus to better align the foot and decrease the deformity. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of human amniotic allograft applied to allogeneic tri-cortical grafts in Evans calcaneal osteotomy. Methods: The medical records of patients who had Evans calcaneal osteotomy with implantation of tri-cortical iliac crest bone graft with human anmiotic allograft for surgical management of adult acquired flatfoot deformity with 2 years follow-up data were reviewed. Results: A total of 63 patients (mean age: 33.3 yr, range: 18 - 66 yr) were enrolled with adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Median time to weight-bearing was 6 weeks. Time to wearing normal shoes was 10 weeks, and time to radiographic healing was 16 weeks. Conclusions: The use of human amniotic allograft did not diminish the long term outcome of procedure or the short term benchmarks for healing after surgery. There were no nonunion, wound dehiscence, infection, or allergic or immune reaction reported. This retrospective study demonstrated that tri-cortical iliac crest bone graft and HAA could be safely used in Evans calcaneal osteotomy with favorable results.

Operative vs nonoperative treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fracture: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM： To investigate clinical efficacy of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture （DIACF） following operation and nonoperation. METHODS： Literature search was performed of PubMed and Cochrane Library by two independent authors to identify randomized controlled trials （RCTs） comparing operative vs nonoperative treatment of DIACF from inception to December 31st, 2013. RCT quality was evaluated by the modified Jadad scale. Dichotomous variables were pooled using risk ratios by review manager 5.3 software. Fixed-effects or random-effects models were adopted with P 〉 0.05 or P ≤ 0.05 for heterogeneity tests, respectively.RESULTS： Eight RCTs comprising 767 cases met inclusion criteria. Results revealed that more surgically treated patients could resume pre-injury job （P = 0.006）. No statistical differences were found between the two groups in residual pain （P = 0.33）, shoe fitting problems （P = 0.07）, limited walking distance （P = 0.56） or secondary late arthrodesis （P = 0.38）. However, operative treatment was associated with a higher complication rate （P = 0.003）. Subgroup analyses of specific complications revealed that except for a higher risk of superficial wound problems （P 〈 0.0001） in operative group, the two groups had similar complication rate in deep wound infection （ P = 0.34）,CONCLUSION： Current evidence demonstrates that compared with operative treatment, conservative treatment of DIACF lead to similar clinical outcomes regarding residual pain, shoe fitting, walking distance and secondary subtalar arthrodesis but a significantly lower complication rate.

Ilizarov external fixators for maluninon of obsolete calcaneal fracture of Stephen Type Ⅲ

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of Ilizarov external fixator for maluninon of obsolete calcaneal fracture of Stephen Type Ⅲ.Methods From July 2006 to February 2009,25 patients suffering from maluninon of obsolete calcaneal

Biomechanical comparison of locking plate and crossing metallic and absorbable screws fixations for intra-articular calcaneal fractures

The locking plate and percutaneous crossing metallic screws and crossing absorbable screws have been used clinically to treat intra-articular calcaneal fractures, but little is known about the biomechanical differences between them. This study compared the biomechanical stability of calcaneal fractures fixed using a locking plate and crossing screws. Three-dimensional finite-element models of intact and fractured calcanei were developed based on the CT images of a cadaveric sample. Surgeries were simulated on models of Sanders type III calcaneal fractures to produce accurate postoperative models fixed by the three implants. A vertical force was applied to the superior surface of the subtalar joint to simulate the stance phase of a walking gait. This model was validated by an in vitro experiment using the same calcaneal sample. The intact calcaneus showed greater stiffness than the fixation models. Of the three fixations, the locking plate produced the greatest stiffness and the highest von Mises stress peak. The micromotion of the fracture fixated with the locking plate was similar to that of the fracture fixated with the metallic screws but smaller than that fixated with the absorbable screws. Fixation with both plate and crossing screws can be used to treat intra-articular calcaneal fractures. In general, fixation with crossing metallic screws is preferable because it provides sufficient stability with less stress shielding.

Comparisons in finite element analysis of minimally invasive, locking,and non-locking plates systems used in treating calcaneal fractures of Sanders type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ

Background Calcaneal fractures are relatively common but complex,while the treatment of these fractures is still controversial.The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability of minimally invasive,locking,and non-locking plating systems used for fixing Sanders type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ calcaneal fractures.Finite element analysis was used for comparing the three types of plating systems.This study helped in guiding the clinical management of calcaneal fractures.Methods The CT data acquired from a volunteer was used to construct a finite element model of calcaneus.The fracture lines were made according to Sanders type Ⅱ （A,B,C） and type Ⅲ （AB,AC,BC） and six calcaneal fractures models were constructed accordingly.Three fixation methods used in clinical treatment were simulated by design tools （minimally invasive plating with percutaneous screws,Y-size non-locking plating,and locking plating） and then fixed to these fracture models with the help of clinical principles.The single minimally invasive plating fixation was also tested to compare the function of percutaneous screws.Then,the neutral force was applied on established methods.The displacement and presses distribution condition in various plating models were analyzed and compared.Results The levels of displacement and compressive press on the bone around fixation or strains on plating were within the physiological limit,indicating that the three methods were suitable for application.Compared with the locked and unlocked plates,the minimally invasive plating caused a relatively lower displacement without the high stress in bone or fixation.The minimum stress in fixation was observed in locking plate as the distribution of stress was concentrated in the anterior part of locking plate.Conclusions The minimally invasive plating method could be a better alternative method in treating Sanders type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ calcaneal fractures.The observed stiffness of locking plate was not obviously stronger than unlocked plate.

Percutaneous poking reduction and fixation versus open reduction and fixation in the treatment of displaced calcaneal fractures for Chinese patients： A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose： To compare the efficacy of percutaneous poking reduction and fixation with open reduction and fixation in the treatment of displaced calcaneal fractures. Methods： Reports of studies using case-controlled trials （CCT） to compare the percutaneous poking reduction and fixation with the open reduction and fixation in the management of calcaneal fractures were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed Database, CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Data （fromJanuary of 2005 to August of 2015）. Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statistical software Revman 5.0 was used for data-analysis. Results： Fifteen articles were included in the meta-analysis. Comparison of the efficacy of percutaneous poking reduction and fixation with open reduction and fixation in the treatment of calcaneal fractures revealed statistical significance in the incidence of complications after operation [RR -- 0.32, 95,~ Cl （0.20, 0.5）, p 〈 0.05]. However, there were neither statistical significance in the degrees of recovery for calcaneal Bohler angle [WMD = -1.65, 95% CI （ 3.43, 0.14）, p 〉 0.05] and calcaneal Gissane angle [WMD - -3.21, 95%, Cl （-6.75, 0.33）, p 〉 0.05], nor statistical significance in the rate of good foot function after operation [RR = 0.95, 95Z Cl （0.90, 1.00）, p 〉 0.05]. Conclusion： For the treatment of calcaneal fractures, percutaneous poking reduction and fixation is superior to open reduction and fixation in terms of the incidence of postoperative complications. But both techniques can obtain satisfactory clinical function.

Sanders II-III calcaneal fractures fixed with locking plate in elderly patients

Purpose： To evaluate the clinical outcomes of locking calcaneal plate in treating calcaneal fracture （Sanders II-IIl） in elderly patients. Methods： From October 2012 to December 2013, 23 elderly patients suffering from calcaneal fracture （Sanders Ⅱ-Ⅲ） were treated and followed up. There were 15 males and 8 females with the mean age of 68.5 years （range： 65-79 years）. According to Sander＇s classification, 16 cases （16 feet） were type II fractures and 7 cases （7 feet） were type llI fractures. Anteroposterior, lateral and axial views of X-ray were taken to detect the calcaneum. CT scan was done to assess the amount of comminution and articular depression. Radiological assessment was performed using Bohler＇s angle and Gissane＇s angle. Functional outcome was assessed using the Maryland foot score. Results： All the patients were followed up for 13.7 months on average （10-20 months）. The mean time of bone union was 3.2 months （3-4 months）. The mean time of complete weight bearing was 3.2 months （3.1-4.0 months）. The soft tissue necrosis was found in 1 case. The mean Bohler＇s angle and Gissane＇s angle were 25.31° and 117.5° respectively. The overall excellent to good rate was 82.6%. Conclusion： Open reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneal plate can obtain good functional outcome for Sanders II-III calcaneal fractures in elderly patients.

Topology Optimization Method for Calcaneal Prosthesis

With the development of economy and the progress of medical science and technology,artificial prosthesis replacement has become an important means to improve the dysfunction caused by human bone diseases.However,there are still some loose phenomena caused by stress shielding.To solve the complications of aseptic loosening after calcaneal prosthesis replacement,an optimal design method for the prosthesis was proposed.The prosthesis was designed and optimized according to the real bone shape and the replacement requirements by the combination of computed tomography(CT)technology,computer-aided design,finite element analysis,and power flow theory.CT data were imported into MIMICS and Geomagic Studios.UG was used to obtain the geometric model of the human skeleton.Then,the 3D finite element model of the prosthesis was established by combining the finite element software Abaqus,and a series of finite element analysis was carried out.The prosthesis was topologically optimized and filled with a porous structure.The prosthesis was implanted by computer simulation.Finally,the power flow method was used to compare the dynamic performance and energy transfer before and after the prosthesis replacement to verify the rationality of the prosthesis design.In this paper,this method was used to optimize the design of the calcaneal prosthesis,and the research shows that this method can reduce the stress shielding effect of the calcaneal prosthesis.From the case of calcaneal prosthesis optimization,this method is not only a supplement to the contemporary biomechanical theory but also can guide the design of bone prosthesis in bone prosthesis replacement surgery.

The value of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound( QUS ) T score under- 2. 5 in predicting stroke

Objective To explore the relationship between risk of stroke and calcaneal quantitative ultrasound(QUS)T score under-2.5.Methods 5 847 subjects over the age of 40 from Yunyan District,Guiyang City were investigated with questionnaire,physical examination,blood lipids,other metabolic indexes and calcaneus bone

Is Wound Complication a Deterrent to Lateral Extensile Approach in Calcaneus Fracture?

Introduction: The lateral extensile approach has been a widely accepted surgical approach in treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fracture. It provides good exposure for fixation by correcting the hindfoot varus, fracture reduction and restores calcaneal height but it has a high wound complication rate. Methods and materials: 36 intraarticular calcaneal fractures (Sanders II, III and IV) treated using the lateral extensile approach in 34 patients presenting between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Wound complication in the early stage (day 1 to day 3), intermediate (2 weeks) and late (6 weeks) were documented. Results: We found early (Day 1 - Day 3) infection rate of 5.6%, intermediate (2 weeks) at 17.6% and late wound complication (6 weeks) at 2.9%. Conclusion: Lateral expansile approach is a reliable surgical exposure for fracture reduction of calcaneal fractures with acceptable wound related complication rate. Minimally invasive techniques and the sinus tarsi approach are being used for less comminuted fractures, but those techniques are technically more demanding. Smoking, long duration of surgery and soft tissue handling also play a role in increasing wound complication rates.