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.

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.

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.