title: Large bone distractor for open reconstruction of articular fractures of the calcaneus.
abstract: The results of operative treatment of two groups of patients with articular fractures of the calcaneus were evaluated. Twenty-three cases were treated surgically using a standard reconstruction procedure. In the second group of 19 patients a large bone distractor was used; it held the soft tissue flap retracted, while aiding in articular and tuberosity fragment reduction and increasing visualisation by distraction of the posterior talocalcaneal joint. After a year, the anatomical and functional results, together with the operative time, were evaluated. All fractures healed with good or very good anatomical results. All cases, except those with complications (n = 3), achieved good (n = 28) or very good (n = 11) functional scoring. The distractor group had significantly shorter operative times, and less manpower was needed during surgery. We conclude that the large bone distractor is a useful tool in open reconstruction of articular calcaneal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. pawel.grala@aoalumni.org
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grala
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Twardosz
authors.forename: Wieslaw
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tondel
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olewicz-Gawlik
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hrycaj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D055815:Young Adult