title: Minimally invasive (sinus tarsi) approach for calcaneal fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the anatomic characteristics of the calcaneus and the sinus tarsi approach, we designed a combined plate. The goal of this study was to retrospectively assess the functional outcomes and complications of treatment with our self-designed plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2014 to October 2015, 18 patients with closed calcaneal fractures (14 Sanders type II and 4 type III) were treated with our combined locking plate through a minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach. All patients underwent both clinical and radiological evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up duration for all patients ranged from 6 to 13.5 months. The radiographs demonstrated significant corrections of the calcaneal width, length, height, Böhler angle, and Gissane angle from preoperatively to 3 months postoperatively and the last follow-up. However, there were no significant differences in the variables between 3 months postoperatively and the last follow-up. The mean Maryland foot score was 88.1 ± 8.8, in which excellent outcomes were achieved in 11 patients, good in 4, and fair in 3 (excellent and good rate, 83.3% (15 of 18)). No statistical significances in the mean Maryland foot score (88.1 ± 8.8 vs 87.8 ± 10.1, p = 0.9), and the excellent and good rate (85.7 vs 75.0%, p = 1.0) was found between type II and type III fractures. No complications were observed in all fractured feet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with our self-designed combined plate through a sinus tarsi approach may be safe and effective for type II and type III calcaneal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 222, Rd Zhongshan, Xigang District, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 201318, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New Area 1500, Rd Zhouyuan, Zhoupu, Shanghai, 201318, China. zpyygkwxh@sina.cn.
authors.forename: Xiu Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Dalian Central Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Sheng Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 222, Rd Zhongshan, Xigang District, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 201318, China. 13704940088@163.com.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New Area 1500, Rd Zhouyuan, Zhoupu, Shanghai, 201318, China.
authors.forename: Bei Gang
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New Area 1500, Rd Zhouyuan, Zhoupu, Shanghai, 201318, China.
authors.forename: Ming Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Zhoupu Hospital, Pudong New Area 1500, Rd Zhouyuan, Zhoupu, Shanghai, 201318, China.
authors.forename: Sheng Li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006365:Heel / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Calcaneal fractures; Combined plate fixation; Sinus tarsi