[Outcomes of Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures Using Locking Compression Plate with or without Augmentation]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Biomaterials in Orthopedics

Background:

• Calcaneal fractures are complex injuries requiring surgical intervention.
• The neutral triangle defect after reduction and osteosynthesis is a debated area for augmentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare outcomes of calcaneal fracture osteosynthesis with and without neutral triangle defect augmentation using a locking compression plate (LCP).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 82 patients with Sanders Type II and III calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a calcaneal LCP.
• Defect augmentation was performed using injectable hydroxyapatite cement in some cases.
• Patient outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Clinical Rating System.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in excellent, good, satisfactory, or poor outcomes between augmented and non-augmented groups.
• Similar rates of early postoperative complications (wound dehiscence, skin necrosis, infection) were observed in both groups.
• The augmented group had a slightly higher percentage of satisfactory results and a lower percentage of poor results, but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Open reduction and internal fixation with a calcaneal LCP provide good results for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
• Augmentation of the diaphyseal defect in the calcaneus is not necessary and does not improve healing or treatment outcomes.
• Osteosynthesis with a locking plate alone is as effective as combined with defect augmentation.