Articular calcaneal fractures: open or minimally invasive surgery, when the medial wall reduction is obtained percutaneously from the lateral side

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with medial column displacement treated with different surgical techniques, namely extensile lateral approach (ELA) or sinus tarsi approach (STA), combined with percutaneous medial reduction. Methods Ninety-six patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures who were subjected to ELA or STA (45 in STA group and 51 in ELA group) were retrospectively assessed. Reduction of the posterior facet, calcaneal body, Böhler’s angle, and Gissane’s angle were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analog scale (VAS). The complications, time to surgery, operative time, and blood loss were also assessed. Results Incidence of wound complications, post-operative blood drainage, and time to the operation were significantly different between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the recovery of calcaneal anatomy and articular surface between the two groups. Similarly, no difference was detected in Böhler’s and Gissane’s angles between ELA and STA groups ( P > 0.05). Finally, there was no difference in AOFAS and VAS scores between the two groups at the final follow-up ( P > 0.05). Conclusion STA resulted in favourable radiological and clinical results with fewer wound complications and a shorter waiting time when compared to ELA. The percutaneous medial reduction technique is effective in reducing medial column displacement.