Oral analogue scale as an outcome measure after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Comparison Between Sinus Tarsi Approach and Extensile Lateral Approach for Treatment of Closed Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Multicenter Prospective Study

The purpose of our investigation was to prospectively review and compare the early outcomes of Sanders II and III closed displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) in a group of patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws using the extended lateral approach or the sinus tarsi approach (STA). Thirty-eight patients with DIACFs were prospectively enrolled and operatively treated using either the extended lateral approach or the STA. Patients underwent a careful clinical and radiographic examination and were evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, visual analog scale, and the Foot Function Index. The results from our study showed similar clinical and radiographic outcomes between the 2 groups. In our series, Sanders II and III DIACFs were sufficiently exposed using the STA to achieve anatomic reduction and stable fixation. The STA group had a lower incidence of wound complications (p ≥ .05), the surgical procedure was faster, and the waiting time to surgery was shorter (p ≤ .05). Despite the limited number of patients and the short follow-up period, our results suggest that the STA is a useful method for the treatment of DIACFs, with a low incidence of complications and results comparable to those for patients treated using the extended lateral approach.

Subjective results after surgical treatment for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

We present a retrospective study investigating the results of the subjective assessment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in a selected cohort of 42 patients treated operatively, with a follow-up duration of at least 3 years. The adjusted American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society questionnaire, Foot Function Index, and visual analog scale were used to quantify the subjective evaluations. Our hypothesis was that good subjective results could be predicted and obtained in patients with specific characteristics if anatomic reduction of the fracture was achieved. The results of the study confirmed our hypothesis. A number of specific subgroup analyses were undertaken. The study confirmed that Böhler angle restoration and the quality of reduction of the subtalar joint facet are important prognostic factors related to the outcome. In contrast, gender and Sanders type had less influence at the intermediate-term follow-up results. The main weaknesses of the present study included its retrospective nature, the lack of a control group managed nonoperatively for comparison, and the small sample size. Moreover, the operating surgeon performed the radiographic measurement and categorized the quality of the surgical reconstruction.

Operative versus nonoperative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in elderly patients

We compared the outcomes of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in 33 patients aged 65 to 75 years, who were treated either operatively (n = 18) or nonsurgically (n = 15), between December 2001 and December 2005. The operative treatment group scored higher on the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score and had less pain as measured with the 10-cm visual analog scale than did the nonsurgically treated group, with the differences being statistically significant (P < or = .05), suggesting that results can be improved by operative treatment. Böhler's angle, the quality of operative reduction, subtalar joint motion, gender, and the Sanders type of fracture were also analyzed and compared between the treatment groups. The results confirmed that Böhler's angle, the quality of the reduction, and subtalar joint motion were important prognostic factors related to outcome, regardless of treatment; whereas gender and Sanders type had less influence on the results at the 2-year follow-up evaluation. The prevalence of complications observed in the surgically treated group was similar to that reported in prior publications, except for subtalar arthritis (38.9%), which may have been higher because of the age of our patients and the duration of follow-up.

Clinical outcome scoring of intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Outcome reporting of intra-articular calcaneal fractures is inconsistent. This study aimed to identify the most cited outcome scores in the literature and to analyze their reliability and validity. A systematic literature search identified 34 different outcome scores. The most cited outcome score was the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, followed by the Maryland Foot Score (MFS) and the Creighton-Nebraska score (CN). Reliability (internal consistency) and validity (content, construct, and criterion) were determined for the 3 outcome scoring systems. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, reliability) was similar for the Maryland Foot Score (alpha=0.82) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score (alpha=0.78), but lower for the Creighton-Nebraska (alpha = 0.61). Floor and ceiling effects were good for all 3 scores. The individual items within these outcome scores showing best content validity were pain, return to work, subtalar range of motion, walking distance, ankle range of motion, and gait abnormalities or limping. Construct validity was good for all individual items except sagittal motion, stability at physical exam, and shoe size. The 3 outcome scores showed high correlation with patient satisfaction as measured with a visual analog scale (VAS, criterion validity) and indication for an arthrodesis. In conclusion, pending consensus, we would recommend choosing between the widely accepted, reliable and valid AOFAS hindfoot and the Maryland Foot Score as the scoring systems of choice.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

2.

Fractures of the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus: a case report

BACKGROUND

Isolated fractures of the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus are rare and often missed upon initial presentation. There are few papers in the literature that comment on the management of these fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed four cases of fractures of the sustentaculum talus of the calcaneus treated with open reduction and internal fixation from one surgeon's 15-year practice.

RESULTS

This is a case report that describes the presentation, management and outcome of these four cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small series of cases, operative treatment appears to have been appropriate. Direct anatomic approach with accurate open reduction and internal fixation has been relatively successful in these patients.

The association between subtalar joint motion and outcome satisfaction in patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of literature on the effect of calcaneal fractures on subtalar joint motion and patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between subtalar joint motion and outcome satisfaction in patients who had displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. The design of this study was a retrospective analysis from a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The setting was a Level I trauma center.

METHODS

Of the 332 displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures entered into the clinical trial and managed by the senior author, 244 fractures had subtalar joint motion measurements taken at least 12 weeks after fracture, and patient-oriented outcomes were reviewed at 2 years. Nonoperative treatment consisted of ice, elevation, and rest without closed reduction. In the operative group, an extended lateral approach was used with subchondral fixation, plating, and bone grafting when necessary. The Short Form 36 (SF-36), a validated visual analogue scale (VAS), and a gait analogue score measured patient satisfaction. Subtalar joint motion was recorded as percentages of the uninjured limb and grouped into quartiles.

RESULTS

The VAS, SF-36 (p <.0001), and the gait satisfaction score (p <.05) all increased significantly with increasing subtalar joint motion. Satisfaction on the VAS and SF-36 was significantly related to subtalar joint motion for men (p <.0001) and in the age groups 30 to 39 (p <.001) and 40 to 49 years (p <0.05). In non-Workman Compensation Board (WCB) clients, higher subtalar joint motion was significantly related to improved satisfaction on VAS and SF-36 (p <.005). Patient satisfaction was significantly related to subtalar joint motion as measured by the VAS when patients reported pre-injury workloads of moderate (p <.05) or heavy (p <.01) regardless of whether they were treated operatively (p <.05) or nonoperatively (p <.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of subtalar joint motion at least 12 weeks after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fracture is significantly related to patient satisfaction at 2 years regardless of the method of treatment.

Personal gait satisfaction after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures: a 2-8 year followup

BACKGROUND

Patients' satisfaction with gait after calcaneal fracture has rarely been studied. The objective of this paper was to determine how patient demographics, fracture type and treatment affected gait satisfaction after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. The design of the study is a prospective randomized trial performed in four Level I trauma centers.

METHODS

Three hundred and nineteen patients with 351 radiographically proven displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures (DIACF) were randomly assigned to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), or nonoperative treatment. A 2- to 8-year follow-up was obtained, with patients completing SF-36 and a validated visual analogue scale to assess personal gait satisfaction. The final joint positions were confirmed using plain radiographs and CT scans for both treatment arms. Examination using a one-way analysis-of-variance was performed to determine if statistical differences existed in personal gait satisfaction between the treatment arms.

RESULTS

Personal gait satisfaction scores were not significantly different between those DIACF treated with ORIF and those treated nonoperatively at 2- to 8-year follow-up. In patients treated with ORIF, improved personal gait scores were reported in those who were younger than 30 years of age, were non-WCB, had jobs requiring a moderate work-load before injury, and had Bohler angles restored to above 0 degrees. Factors not found to be significant in gait satisfaction included unilateral or bilateral calcaneal fractures, quality of initial reduction, and sex of the patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Subcategories determined that younger patients who were self-employed and treated operatively had improved gait scores. Treatment (operative or nonoperative) of calcaneal fractures did not affect gait satisfaction according to patient outcome scores.

Derotation taping for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures

Derotation taping for metacarpal and phalangeal fractures is a simple, noninvasive technique for management of acute fractures with malrotation. Ulnar nerve or ring block is performed followed by a closed reduction using a Jahss technique and then a rotatory manipulation. Plaster tape is applied, providing a supination torque on the finger. Those patients with a late presentation of a rotatory malunion are managed with a "K wire osteoclasis" which involves multiple percutaneous cortical K-wire perforations and then a manipulation.

Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: variables predicting late subtalar fusion

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the current study was to analyze the prospective clinical outcome of patients who failed closed or open treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture. This cohort of patients required a secondary subtalar fusion by distraction bone-block arthrodesis.

DESIGN

Review of prospective, randomized trial database.

SETTING

Four level I trauma centers.

PATIENTS

Between April 1, 1991 and December 31, 1997, 424 patients with 471 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were involved in a large, multicenter, randomized trial. Forty-four patients who required subtalar fusion following initial treatment of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture were compared to the population of patients who did not require subtalar fusion. The variables compared between the two groups included Böhler angles, two computed tomography classification systems, and clinical scores including SF-36, visual analogue score, and oral analogue score.

INTERVENTION

Subtalar distraction bone-block arthrodesis with tricortical bone graft was used in all 45 feet.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The following were examined: x-ray fracture classification, specifically Böhler angles and Essex-Lopresti classification; computed tomography classification, specifically Sanders and Crosby; clinical scores, specifically validated visual analogue score, general health survey scores, oral analogue score, and other factors (i.e., patient demographics including age, sex, profession, smoking history, and Worker's Compensation Board involvement.

RESULTS

Initial treatment of the 44 patients in our study was nonoperative in 37 (84%) patients and operative (open reduction and internal fixation) in 7 (16%) (1 patient had bilateral heel fractures). Patients requiring fusion differed demographically from those patients not requiring fusion. Mean age was 39 years in both the fusion and nonfusion group. The fusion group had 97% males, whereas the nonfusion group had 89% males. Sixty-four percent of the fusion patients were Worker's Compensation Board claims, whereas 35% of the nonfusion group were Worker's Compensation Board claims. Of those that required fusion, 77% were heavy laborers. On average, the fusion group had a Böhler angle 15 degrees less than the nonfusion group. Forty-six percent of the fusion patients were Sanders-type IV initial fractures. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the primary predictors of requiring fusion were Worker's Compensation Board status (odds ratio = 3.03, 95% confidence interval = 1.41-6.57), Sanders-type IV (odds ratio = 5.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.57-19.18), Böhler angle <0 degrees (odds ratio = 10.64-95% confidence interval = 1.33-85.17), and nonoperative initial treatment (odds ratio = 5.86-95% confidence interval = 2.33-14.67).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the amount of initial injury involved with the calcaneal fracture is the primary prognostic determinant of long-term patient outcome. Böhler angle on presentation of <0 degrees was 10 times more likely to require a secondary subtalar fusion than a Böhler angle on presentation of >15 degrees. Sanders-type IV calcaneal fractures were 5.5 times more likely to be fused than a simple Sanders type II fracture. Worker's Compensation Board patients were three times more likely to be fused than non-Worker's Compensation Board patients. Nonoperative care was six times more likely to lead to a late fusion as compared to open reduction and internal fixation treatment. Late fusion provided relief from pain and improved function as evidenced by an improvement in visual analogue score postsurgery. This study demonstrates that there is a distinct patient group with a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture who are at high risk of subtalar fusion. These include male Worker's Compensation Board patients who participate in heavy labor work with a fracture pattern with Böhler angle less than 0 degrees. If their initial treatment was nonoperative, the likelihood of requiring late subtalar fusion was significantly increased. Initial open reductional open reduction and internal fixation of patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture minimized the likelihood that subtalar fusion would be required.

Displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum: what is new?

The management of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum remains a contentious subject. Recent advances in the understanding of fracture anatomy have emphasized the fact that not all fractures are the same and therefore different management options should be considered for different patients. This review endeavours to highlight new developments in the assessment of the patient and his fracture and discusses new techniques for the operative management of some injuries. There is also considerable debate on how outcome should be assessed and the role of gait analysis and pedobarography is discussed. Undoubtedly some patients with a displaced intra-articular fracture of the calcaneum will benefit from a surgical procedure the skill, as always, is in deciding which fracture requires which treatment.

Benign calcaneal bone cyst and pathologic fracture--surgical treatment with injectable calcium-phosphate bone cement (Norian): a case report

Solitary calcaneal bone cysts are uncommon. Usually they measure 1/3 to 1/2 of the calcaneal length. Symptomatic calcaneal bone cysts are generally treated with open debridement and autologous bone grafting. We report a case of a patient with a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture who presents with a large benign calcaneal bone cyst. This patient was treated with debridement and filling of defect with injectable calcium-phosphate bone cement (Norian) and open reduction and internal fixation of the calcaneal fracture.

Dorsomedial cutaneous nerve syndrome: treatment with nerve transection and burial into bone

Damage to the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the foot, which innervates the medial hallux, may occur with crush injury or iatrogenically with bunion surgery. Severe neuritic pain after bunion surgery may alert the surgeon that this small nerve has been damaged. The term "dorsomedial cutaneous nerve syndrome" is suggested for this condition, and nine patients with such forefoot presentations, all of which were unresponsive to nonoperative interventions, are described. The nerve had been either transected or bound in scar tissue; in these nine cases, the nerve was then resected and buried in the proximal aspect of the first metatarsal or the medial cuneiform. Most patients underwent an additional procedure (other than the nerve procedure), such as revision bunionectomy or arthrodesis, but all felt they could clearly delineate nerve pain from bone or joint pain. All patients experienced marked relief of their symptoms, usually within days after the surgery, and were satisfied with the results. The verbal analog pain score, on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (pain requiring amputation), improved from a preoperative level of 8.6 to a postoperative level of 2.0. Resection and burial of this nerve appears to be a useful treatment for neuritis unresponsive to nonoperative measures.

Bohler's angle: correlation with outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

OBJECTIVES

Bohler's tuber joint angle is commonly assessed when evaluating calcaneal fractures. A severe heel fracture will result in a significant decrease or loss of this angle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between Bohler's angle and functional outcome in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Level I trauma center.

METHODS

Ninety-five fractures in eighty-eight patients were analyzed for clinical outcome as measured by previously validated visual analogue scale (VAS) and SF-36 Health Survey scores. Radiographic results were measurements of Bohler's angle on plain x-rays. Angles were measured twice by two observers working independently.

RESULTS

This prospective randomized cohort study indicates that patients initially presenting with a severely depressed Bohler's angle have a poor two-year outcome regardless of treatment. As well, fractures of lesser initial displacement, as measured by Bohler's angle, had higher functional scores on both VAS and SF-36 scoring scales.

CONCLUSION

In this study, Bohler's angle had significant prognostic value in terms of predicting morbidity. Fractures with a markedly diminished Bohler's angle demonstrated a much poorer two-year outcome regardless of treatment. It would seem that the initial Bohler's angle was highly prognostic, regardless of treatment modality.