title: [Preliminary effectiveness of I.T.S. locking plate for intra-articular calcaneal fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the preliminary effectiveness of I.T.S. locking plate for intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2010 and July 2011, 18 cases of intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated. There were 10 males and 8 females with an average age of 46 years (range, 25-64 years). According to Sanders classification system, there were 3 cases of type II, 9 cases of type III, and 6 cases of type IV. The disease duration was 5-11 days (mean, 6 days). Open reduction and internal fixation with I.T.S. locking plate were performed via an L-shaped lateral extending incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Superficial infection occurred in 1 case, and was cured after dressing changing; healing of incision by first intention was obtained in the other cases. Sixteen cases were followed up 14 months on average (range, 12-18 months). X-ray films demonstrated the bone union in all cases with an average union time of 12 weeks (range, 10-14 weeks). No implant failure or irritation of peroneal tendon occurred during follow-up. X-ray films showed subtalar post-traumatic arthritis with mild pain in 1 case at 11 months after operation, which was relieved by conservative treatment. At last follow-up, the Böhler angle was improved from (12.9 +/- 3.2) degrees preoperatively to (33.8 +/- 4.0) degrees postoperatively, showing significant difference (t = 22.78, P = 0.00); the Gissane angle was improved from (83.6 +/- 6.4) degrees preoperatively to (119.9 +/- 8.5) degrees postoperatively, showing significant difference (t = 17.02, P = 0.00). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1.3 +/- 1.2, and the ankle and hindfoot scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 80.3 +/- 7.9 at last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture with I.T.S. locking plate can obtain a stable fixation, which is a safe and effective method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, the Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200240, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Junguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yimin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Youhai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Wenqi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Hanwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Haiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xujun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Peiyan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome