Open reduction and internal fixation of the calcaneus using minifragment plates

During a 4-year period, 35 nonconsecutive intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus were fixed with 2.7-mm minifragment plates and 3.5-mm small fragment screws through an extended lateral approach. There were 25 type II and 10 type III fractures by the classification system of Sanders. The reduction of the facet was anatomic in 91%. The reduction of the tuberosity was acceptable (< or = 5 degrees of angulation) in all cases. Early motion was begun in the ankle, subtalar, and midfoot joints in all cases. Two patients had minor edge necrosis amenable to local treatment. There were no deep infections. Using the Maryland foot score, there were 77% good or excellent results. The small size of the minifragment plates allows for their application to a wide variety of fracture patterns. They are also low profile and are therefore easy to cover. Multiple plates were used in many cases without steric interference. They provided rigid enough fixation to allow aggressive early motion exercises without loss of reduction or hardware failure in any case. Minifragment plates with small fragment screws are effective for the fixation of intraarticular calcaneus fractures through an extended lateral approach.