Sanders II-III calcaneal fractures fixed with locking plate in elderly patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of locking calcaneal plate in treating calcaneal fracture (Sanders II-III) in elderly patients.


METHODS
From October 2012 to December 2013, 23 elderly patients suffering from calcaneal fracture (Sanders II-III) were treated and followed up. There were 15 males and 8 females with the mean age of 68.5 years (range: 65-79 years). According to Sander's classification, 16 cases (16 feet) were type II fractures and 7 cases (7 feet) were type III fractures. Anteroposterior, lateral and axial views of X-ray were taken to detect the calcaneum. CT scan was done to assess the amount of comminution and articular depression. Radiological assessment was performed using Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle. Functional outcome was assessed using the Maryland foot score.


RESULTS
All the patients were followed up for 13.7 months on average (10-20 months). The mean time of bone union was 3.2 months (3-4 months). The mean time of complete weight bearing was 3.2 months (3.1-4.0 months). The soft tissue necrosis was found in 1 case. The mean Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle were 25.31° and 117.5°respectively. The overall excellent to good rate was 82.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Open reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneal plate can obtain good functional outcome for Sanders II-III calcaneal fractures in elderly patients.
Department of Orthopedics, Huaxi Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China.
Cheng
C
Long
Yue
Y
Fang
Fu-Guo
FG
Huang
Hui
H
Zhang
Guang-Lin
GL
Wang
Tian-Fu
TF
Yang
Lei
L
Liu
D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D000072836:Surgical Wound / Q000628:therapy