Clinical Research on Treating Sanders Type II and III Calcaneal Fractures With Percutaneous Poking Reduction and Internal Fixation Using a Custom-Made Adjustable Triangular Calcaneal Distractor.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and significance of using an independently designed triangular calcaneal distractor in percutaneous poking reduction and internal fixation for treating Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures.

METHODS

Forty patients with unilateral closed calcaneal fractures treated at our hospital from May 2021 to May 2022 were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group (20 cases treated with a triangular distractor and closed poking reduction) and a control group (20 cases treated with closed reduction and internal fixation). Standardized postoperative treatment was administered to both groups. The surgical duration, number of fluoroscopic exposures, and postoperative calcaneal height and Böhler's angle at 3 days and 3 months were recorded.

RESULTS

In the treatment group, the Böhler angle and the calcaneal height was measured at 3 days and 3months after the operation. There were no statistically significant differences in the calcaneal height or the Böhler angle between the two groups (P > .05). There were also no statistically significant differences in the calcaneal height or the Böhler angle within each group at different time points (P > .05). The treatment group had a shorter surgical duration and only two to three fluoroscopic exposures compared with the control group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

For Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures, the triangular distractor enables more precise traction reduction and screw placement during poking reduction treatment, helping to shorten the surgical duration and reduce the number of required intraoperative fluoroscopic exposures (lowering the radiation exposure for surgeons and patients).